“I feel more and more, every day of my life, how much my dear mamma has done for my establishment. I was the youngest of all her daughters, and she has treated me as if I were the eldest, so that my whole soul is filled with the most tender gratitude.”
- November 2, 1755 – October 16, 1793
- From the Duchy of Austria, Holy Roman Empire
- Queen
- Influenced fashion and culture, and symbolized the splendor of court life
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Quote
“I feel more and more, every day of my life, how much my dear mamma has done for my establishment. I was the youngest of all her daughters, and she has treated me as if I were the eldest, so that my whole soul is filled with the most tender gratitude.”
Explanation
In this heartfelt quote, Marie Antoinette expresses her deep gratitude towards her mother, Maria Theresa, the Empress of Austria. Marie Antoinette was the youngest of Maria Theresa’s many children, and the quote highlights how her mother went above and beyond to ensure her successful establishment—a term that likely refers to her marriage to Louis XVI and her role as the Queen of France. Despite being the youngest, she was treated with the same importance as her older sisters, which suggests a sense of special care and investment by Maria Theresa in Marie Antoinette’s future. This reflects a strong maternal bond, where the Empress’s love and dedication were evident in the way she prepared her daughter for her royal duties, a responsibility that ultimately shaped Marie Antoinette’s identity and role in history.
Historically, this statement can be seen as a recognition of the political and emotional sacrifices Maria Theresa made in arranging Marie Antoinette’s marriage to the French crown. For the Empress, this union was not just about securing a royal alliance but also about securing Austria’s influence in Europe. Marie Antoinette’s tender gratitude reflects a complex dynamic between personal affection and the political realities of royal marriages during that period, where daughters were often married for dynastic purposes rather than for love.
In modern terms, this quote can resonate with anyone who has experienced the sacrifices of a parent—whether in terms of emotional investment, financial support, or care in shaping their child’s future. It speaks to the power of parental love and the tenderness of family bonds, especially when one is grateful for the efforts and sacrifices that have shaped their life. The quote also touches on the importance of family in shaping one’s destiny, a theme that remains relevant in contemporary discussions about parental influence and the legacy passed from one generation to the next.
