Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France. She was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1755. She married King Louis XVI of France when she was 14. She became a symbol of the extravagance that angered the French people during the Revolution.

Early Life

Marie Antoinette was an Austrian princess. She was married to the French king to strengthen the alliance between Austria and France. She was only 14 when she moved to France. She found life at the French court difficult at first.

Legacy

Marie Antoinette was known for her expensive tastes and elaborate hairstyles. The French people blamed her for the country's money problems. During the French Revolution, she was imprisoned and executed in 1793. Historians now say she was unfairly blamed for many of France's problems.

Fun Facts

• She probably never actually said 'Let them eat cake.' That story was made up.
• Her wedding celebration included a fireworks display that lasted for days.
• She had a private village built at Versailles where she pretended to be a peasant.

Did You Know?

The famous quote 'Let them eat cake' was actually written by a philosopher years before Marie Antoinette was born. She was used as a symbol of royal excess, but many of the stories about her were exaggerated or untrue.