Marie Antoinette (l. 1755-1793) was the queen of France during the turbulent final years of the Ancien Régime and the subsequent French Revolution (1789-1799). With the ascension of her husband Louis XVI of France (r. 1774-1792), she became queen at the age of 18 and would shoulder much of the blame for the perceived moral failures of the French monarchy.
More about: Marie Antoinette10 days left
Invest in History Education
By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
$3081 / $10000
Definition
Timeline
-
2 Nov 1755Marie Antoinette, future queen of France, is born in Vienna, Austria.
-
May 1770Marie Antoinette, aged 14, is married to the 15-year-old dauphin, the future King Louis XVI of France.
-
Apr 1777Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, visits France to help fix the troubled marriage of his sister Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI of France.
-
19 Dec 1778Queen Marie Antoinette of France gives birth to her first child, daughter Marie-Thérèse, eight years after she married Louis XVI of France.
-
29 Nov 1780Death of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria in Vienna, aged 63.
-
1783Queen Marie Antoinette of France begins an affair with Count Axel von Fersen, the origin of many rumors and gossip accusing her of sexual depravity.
-
1784 - 1786The affair of the diamond necklace permanently destroys the reputation of Queen Marie Antoinette of France.
-
4 Jun 1789The death of Louis-Joseph, the 7-year-old dauphin of France, is overshadowed by the dramatic events of the Estates-General.
-
Oct 1789The Women's March on Versailles increases demand for a French constitutional monarchy, relocates the royal family to the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
-
20 Jun 1791 - 21 Jun 1791The Flight to Varennes, an attempted escape by the French royal family from Paris, is foiled; public disdain for the monarchy increases.
-
27 Aug 1791The Declaration of Pillnitz is issued by Austria and Prussia, threatening war against France should any harm befall the French royal family.
-
20 Apr 1792Revolutionary France declares war on Austria, sparking the War of the First Coalition.
-
13 Aug 1792The family of Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette are imprisoned in the Tower of the Temple.
-
21 Sep 1792The National Convention abolishes the French Monarchy during the French Revolution.
-
21 Jan 1793King Louis XVI of France, now known as Citizen Louis Capet, is executed by guillotine.
-
14 Oct 1793 - 15 Oct 1793Queen Marie Antoinette of France is tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal. She is found guilty of high treason and is sentenced to death.
-
16 Oct 1793Marie Antoinette is executed by guillotine at the Place de la Révolution.
