Isabella of Parma, the first wife of Joseph, the future Emperor, died on 27 November 1763. However strange it may sound, among all persons concerned one could hardly find two more opposing views of this event than those of the married couple themselves.
For Joseph, it was as if the sun had set forever. He had fallen head over heels in love with the beautiful and intelligent Isabella at first sight and loved her deeply and sincerely. The best of his character, briefly revealed during their short marriage, was suddenly lost. The young heir to the throne became cold, distant, over-critical and arrogant. This unpleasant façade hid a profound grief from which he very probably never fully recovered.
Unfortunately, Joseph had not the slightest idea of his adored wife’s true feelings. Although generally admired and beloved within the Imperial family and at court, she felt sad and unhappy. Outwardly, Isabella fulfilled the role of a perfect princess, but in her heart she remained indifferent towards her husband. Their marriage was, for her, nothing but a torment. Even the birth of their first child could not brighten the young mother’s spirit.
On the contrary, Isabella suffered increasingly from depression and homesickness, which soon developed into a longing for death. This dark desire came true when she contracted smallpox. Pregnant once again, she miscarried and died after several days of agony, a month before her twenty-second birthday.
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