-      Elisabeth "Sissi", Empress of Austria (December 24, 1837 – Septmeber 10, 1898)

Elisabeth was Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Duchess of Bavaria. She became an icon of Austria, known for her beauty and her keen riding skills.  However, her marriage in the age of 16 with later emperor Franz Joseph Habsburg-Lorraine was unhappy and she had difficulties adapting the strictetiquette of the Habsburg court. Sissi was stabbed by the italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni in Geneva, who wanted to kill a royal for propaganda.

-      Franz Ferdinand of Habsburg-Lorraine, Archduke of Austria (December 18, 1863 – June 28, 1914)

The Archduke of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo, what led to the declaration of war by Austria. This is seen as one of the beginning events of the First World War.

-      Franz Joseph the II of Habsburg-Lorraine, Emperor of Austria (August 18, 1830 – November 21, 1916)

The emperor of Austria had the longest reign in Austrian history. He had to endure many wars and the death of his only son Rudolf and his wife Sissi.

-      Franz the II / I of Habsburg-Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor, Emperor of Austria (Feburary 12, 1768 – March 2, 1835)

Franz II was the last Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation. After the defeat by the Third Coalition by Napoleon in Austerlitz he dissolved the Holy Roman Empire. Then he founded the Austrian Empire and became the first Austrian ruler Franz I of Austria.

-      Joseph the II of Habsburg-Lorraine, Holy Roman Emperor (March 13, 1741 – February 20, 1790)

The Holy Roman Emperor was aproponent of enlightened absolutism. He lead several reforms including the abolishment of serfdom and the death penalty.

-      Karl the I of Habsburg-Lorraine, Emperor of Austria (August 17, 1887 – April 1st,  1922)

Karl I was the last Emperor of Austria and the last King of Bohemia, Hungary and Croatia and Slavonia. After the founding of the Austrian Republic in 1918 Karl had to leave Austria. He died while he was living in exile on the island of Madeira.

-      Maria Theresia of Habsburg, Archduches of Austria ( May 13, 1717 –  November 29, 1780)

She was the daughter of Emperor Charles the VI Habsburg-Lorraine and married to Holy Roman Emperor Franz-Stephan of Lorraine. She herself was never crowned as Empress, however, she faced resistance as female ruler throughout he whole life. Nevertheless, Maria Theresia remains a key figure in the historical and political events of the 18^th century. She initiated financial, educational, commercial and agricultural reforms. Furthermore, she reorganized the Austrian army and fought a lot of wars.

-      Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (November 2, 1755 – October 16, 1793)

The daughter of Maria Theresia was married to Louis XVI of France at the age of 14 and became the Queen of France. Since the marriage with her husband was unhappy, she spent most of her time ingambling and buying dresses. She was executed by the guillotine during the French Revolution for the crime of treason.

-      Maximilian the I of Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor (March 22, 1459 – January 12, 1519)

The Holy Roman Emperor expanded the House of Habsburg through war and marriages. He is often called “The Last Knight”.

-      Rudolf the I of Habsburg  (May 1st, 1218 – July 15, 1291)

He became the first Habsburg king.