The Romantic Tragedy That Some Say Plunged The Whole World Into War
On January 30, 1889, the bodies of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and his mistress Baroness Marie "Mary" Vetsera were discovered in a tragedy of global proportions. The loss rocked the imperial family to its core, and they, along with the rest of the world, we’re left wondering: what happened? Even decades later, experts still debate why these two high-profile figures died — and if their demise really caused the start of World War I.
No accident
From the moment the 30-year-old royal and his lover, 13 years his junior, were found dead in bed at his hunting lodge in Mayerling, Austria, everyone was stunned. Not only was his death untimely, but Crown Prince Rudolf was also the heir to the throne. Right off the bat, it was obvious that this was no accident.
Warning signs
In fact, there were some specifics about the crime scene that painted a complicated story. But there wasn’t time to sort out the details. No matter what had happened, this was a serious scandal for the imperial family, but not necessarily one that had come without warning signs.
Political black sheep
Prior to his death, Crown Prince Rudolf wasn’t exactly the royal example that his father Franz Joseph hoped he’d be. The source of the tension? They were total political opposites: the Emperor, a strict traditionalist, was in stark opposition to his son, a critical progressive. Ultimately, Prince Rudolf felt his father disapproved of him, and his lifestyle choices didn't improve matters.
Numerous affairs
The Crown Prince began seeing Baroness Marie Vetsera in 1888, but there was one glaring problem — he was married. Despite having a wife, Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, and daughter at home, the royal wasn't shy about his rampant playboy lifestyle. He engaged in numerous affairs, though that was only one of his many problems.
