Austria's Queen: A Syphilis Mystery

Princess Stéphanie of Belgium married Crown Prince Rudolf, son and heir of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, in Vienna on 10 May 1881. Rudolf had multiple extramarital affairs and contracted a venereal disease, possibly gonorrhoea, which he transmitted to his wife, Stéphanie. This rendered Stéphanie unable to conceive again.

Princess Stéphanie of Belgium's husband Rudolf had extramarital affairs

Princess Stéphanie of Belgium's husband, Crown Prince Rudolf, had multiple extramarital affairs. Rudolf was the son and heir of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. The marriage was a fragile one, with Rudolf suffering from depression and disappointment in politics. He contracted a venereal disease, possibly gonorrhoea, which he transmitted to Stéphanie, rendering her unable to conceive again. Doctors, fearing Rudolf had syphilis, treated him with opium, cognac, morphine, and mercury, which can lead to psychological consequences if taken at too high a dose. To recover, Rudolf took Stéphanie to the island of Lokrum.

Rudolf was treated with opium, cognac, morphine and mercury

Rudolf, the Crown Prince of Austria, was treated with opium, cognac, morphine and mercury. These were the treatments used for syphilis, which doctors feared Rudolf had contracted. However, the true nature of Rudolf's illness was hidden, with several diagnoses including cystitis and stomach disease. Rudolf had actually contracted a venereal disease (possibly gonorrhoea) during his extramarital affairs.

Rudolf's wife, Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, disapproved of her father-in-law's policies and developed friendships with opponents of the monarchy. After Rudolf's death, his mother blamed Stéphanie's jealous behaviour for her son's depression and suicide.

Rudolf's affairs were common among aristocrats

Rudolf, the Crown Prince of Austria, fell seriously ill in 1886. Several diagnoses were made, including cystitis and stomach disease, but these were only intended to hide the true nature of his illness – a venereal disease (possibly gonorrhoea), contracted during his extramarital affairs.

Doctors, fearing Rudolf had syphilis, treated him with opium, cognac, morphine, and mercury. Taken at too high a dose, mercury can lead to psychological consequences.

After Rudolf's death, his mother, the Empress, blamed Stéphanie's jealous behaviour for her son's depression and suicide.

Noblewomen were at risk of contracting STDs due to their husband's affairs

Noblewomen were at risk of contracting STDs due to their husbands' affairs. Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, who was married to Crown Prince Rudolf, is one such example. Rudolf had extramarital affairs and contracted a venereal disease, possibly gonorrhea. Doctors, fearing that Stéphanie had syphilis, treated her with opium, cognac, morphine, and mercury.

Another example is Maria Salviati, wife of Giovanni de' Medici. Maria is likely to have been infected by her husband before his death in 1526. She was famous for her beauty and cultural refinement, and there is no mention of any possible syphilitic infection in the written sources. However, a study of a cutaneous ulcer on her left arm led to the diagnosis of tertiary venereal syphilis.

Isabella d'Este, wife of Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquise of Mantua, is another noblewoman who was at risk of contracting an STD due to her husband's affairs. She refused to have sexual intercourse with her partner to prevent infection.

It is difficult to know how other noblewomen contracted syphilis

In the case of Maria Salviati, wife of Giovanni de' Medici, she was likely infected by her husband before his death in 1526, but it is difficult to speculate. Extramarital affairs were common among aristocrats, so syphilis could be considered a disease of the upper classes. Noblewomen were at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of the lifestyle of their husbands, who had occasional relationships with prostitutes. Preventative practices were undertaken by noblewomen, including refusing to have sexual intercourse with their partners.

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