Marie Antoinette (Queen of France)

Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France from 1774 to 1792, married to King Louis XVI. Originally from Austria, she became a symbol of royal excess during a time of financial crisis and social unrest. Often misunderstood as a frivolous spender, her reputation was shaped by political propaganda. She faced widespread criticism for her perceived aloofness and extravagant lifestyle, which fueled public discontent leading up to the French Revolution. Ultimately, she was executed by guillotine in 1793, becoming a tragic figure whose life reflected the turbulent shift from monarchy to republic in France.