Sophie Esterházy

Sophie of Liechtenstein
Countess Esterházy von Galántha
Born	(1798-09-05)5 September 1798 Vienna, Austria
Died	27 June 1869(1869-06-27) (aged 70) Vienna, Austria
Spouse	Count Vincenz Esterházy von Galántha ​ ​ (m. 1817; died 1835)​
House	Liechtenstein
Father	Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein
Mother	Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra

Princess Sophie Marie of Liechtenstein, Countess Esterházy von Galántha (Vienna, 5 September 1798 – Vienna, 27 June 1869), was an Austrian courtier. As the daughter of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, she was a princess of Liechtenstein by birth and grew up at the princely court. Born and raised in Vienna, she was selected to serve in the Austrian imperial court. She served as Oberhofmeisterin (mistress of the Robes) to Empress Elisabeth of Austria from 1854 to 1862.

Early life

Princess Sophie Marie Josepha von und zu Liechtenstein was born as third daughter of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife, Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra.

Court life

She was disliked by the Empress, as she was a friend and a confidante of the Empress' mother-in-law, Princess Sophie of Bavaria, and suspected to be her spy. She was also described as very strict, and her attitude toward Elisabeth was compared to a governess. She was replaced by Pauline von Königsegg. She has been portrayed in numerous books about Elisabeth.

Personal life

She married in Vienna, on 4 August 1817, Count Vincenz Esterházy von Galántha (Pressburg, 25 October 1787 – Eisgrub, 19 October 1835), without issue.

References

• Egon Caesar Conte Corti: Elisabeth, "die seltsame Frau". Nach dem schriftlichen Nachlass der Kaiserin, den Tagebüchern ihrer Tochter und sonstigen unveröffentlichten Tagebüchern und Dokumenten. Weltbild Verlag, Augsburg 2003, ISBN 3-8289-0548-X (früherer Titel: Sissi - Glück und Tragödie einer großen Kaiserin).