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1767


In the Year 1767 a smallpox epidemic struck the Habsburg domains. Many died, more became disfigured and not even the Archhouse escaped unscathed. The grieving Empress was one of the first victims of this disease. In a popular tale she died in the loving arms of her son and successor Joseph II the Reformer. The reality was different though. Joseph himself was suffering a mild case of smallpox. He was attended by his second wife Maria Josepha of Bavaria. While Joseph did not love Maria Josepha before, he did after – looking deep into her soul and seeing her deep love for him. Maria Josepha became a stabilizing factor in Josephs live. When his diaries became public it was no surprise to find that many of his ideas were radical at first but were tempered through the influence of Maria Josepha.





In 1768 a son and crown Prince (Franz) was born, 1769 twin daughters (Maria Isabella and Maria Antonia) followed. In 1771 another son (Maximilian) was born. The couple had a last child (Ferdinand) in 1775.



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