Who Was Marie Antoinette?

From the palaces of Austria to the mirrored halls of Versailles, Marie Antoinette led a charmed life. She was born into royalty in 1755 and married the future king of France at age 15. By 21 she ascended to the throne and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle of masquerade balls, sky-high wigs, and extravagant food. But her taste for excess ruffled many feathers. The poor people of France blamed Marie Antoinette for their poverty. Her spending helped incite the French Revolution. And after much public outcry, in 1793 she quite literally lost her head because of it. Whether she was blameless or guilty is debatable, but Marie Antoinette remains woven into the fabric of history and popular culture.Dana Meachen Rau has written more than 300 books for children, including picture books, early readers, nonfiction, and biographies.

Who Was Marie Antoinette?

On April 21, 1770, fifteen-year-old Marie Antoinette left home and traveled to France. She had always lived a royal life. Her parents were the emperor and empress of Austria. The young archduchess was leaving behind her beloved homeland. She was engaged to marry Louis Auguste, the future king of France.

Marie Antoinette rode in a jeweled coach amid a parade of more than fifty other carriages. Hairdressers, chefs, and other attendants traveled with her for the two-and-a-half-week journey. Peasants cheered along the road between Vienna, Austria, and Strasbourg, France. They hoped to catch a glimpse of the young bride-to-be.