Marie Antoinette - Quotes, Facts, Pictures And Musical

We know the end...but what had happened before the beheading of the Queen of France, on October 16, 1793? Well, the French Revolution, right? People were enraged by excesses at the French Court, while poverty and disease destroyed the lives of the common folk. Marie Antoinette was blamed for the cost of numerous wars, for disastrous foreign policy decisions, and for her supposedly frivolous lifestyle. Not much of this was accurate. Although there was definitely a huge gap between rich and poor, and the luxuries of the French Court ripped big holes into the coffers of the treasury...the greatest waste of taxpayer money was, as usual, caused by the Pentagon. Or whatever they called their military-industrial complex, back then.

When it became known that the people could not afford to buy bread anymore, Marie Antoinette supposedly replied: "Let them eat cake!" However, this quote stems from Jean-Jacques Rousseau's "Confessions", which were published in 1766 when Marie Antoinette was only 10 years old. Most likely, he referred to a different "princess".

What she did say was, "It is quite certain that in seeing the people who treat us so well despite their own misfortune, we are more obliged than ever to work hard for their happiness." 

When presented with a plan to escape from the Tower, the Queen replied: "I could not have any pleasure in the world if I abandoned my children." 

Moments before the execution, a priest reminded her: "This is the moment, Madame, to arm yourself with courage." (Easy for him to say!) Marie Antoinette answered, "Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it at the moment when my sufferings are to end?" 

(Source of quotes)