In what ways do you see Sisi's position as enviable or otherwise?

In her day, the Empress of Austria, or Sisi, was considered the most beautiful woman in Europe, married to one of the richest and most powerful men. In what ways do you see her position as enviable or otherwise?

I think being beautiful and rich and powerful are all enviable things but when they come at the price of privacy, spontaneity, freedom of movement and being constantly watched I think the cost is a little too high. If having those assets has that cost I would rather be less attractive, less rich and have less power.

I think she is lonely. Very lonely. I think she lives in a fishbowl with everyone watching every move she makes. She tries to keep herself beautiful. To live your life the way she does is so shallow. The important relationships in her life are not permanent. It is good she has her love of horses and riding and is able to pursue this.
As far as being in an enviable position, sure, of course people would like to have what she has. Her beauty, her riches, her horsemanship abilities. But the truth is ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD.

Ugh. It's not for me. She has no real friends, everybody's motives are suspect. She has plenty of money but no freedom to spend it or to live as she wishes. Mostly people care about her appearance. She had no choice of husband or even IF she wished to be married. She's the epitome of the expression "a bird in a gilded cage."

To me, there is absolutely nothing enviable about being under a microscope for the better part of one's life. Generally, extreme money and power come at a very, very steep price. I would never envy anyone least of all a person who is unable to live the life they dream of, and do the things they desire.

The Empress seemed terribly lonely, isolated and bored. I don't see her position as at all enviable. She had tremendous power and was supremely self-centered with little regard for others. She seemed to disdain her husband whom she avoided and was little interested in her children except for the unbalanced Crown Prince. Not a happy life despite enormous wealth. It must have been a difficult existence for one who was purported to be very shy.

Sisi appeared to be insecure and lonely. She was not able to cope with aging and didn't seem capable of a loving relationship with her husband or her son. She indulged herself with horses and riding which seemed to satisfy her in some ways. Her position in life was sad to me.

I didn't find her enviable. She just seemed unhappy to me. If you are afraid of losing what you have along with your beauty,that's not something I want, wealth or no

Not enviable to be scrutinized and criticized all of the time since the age of 16. Not enviable to be so concerned about losing your looks at age 38! Enviable, perhaps, to have money and power, but did she really have respect? If her gilded cage was so lovely, why did she wish to break out of it?

Power and beauty are very heady attributes. Being royalty is also valued by people. But all these things fade in time and you are left with just your personage. I think that in the ways of the world, it is pretty great to have all these things...but if you don't have more to your life than that, what good is it when you age? I think to have to give up anonymity and being able to just go about your life is a big price to pay.

I cannot imagine being scrutinized and criticized like Sisi was. But it seemed like she was her own worst critic. She so feared the loss of her beauty that she felt compelled to go to the extreme lengths that she did to try to hold onto her looks. Sisi had extreme anxiety- wearing a veil, not wanting photographs taken, her unusual beauty rituals.
I think it would be a horrible way to live. Feeling that way about yourself and measuring your value in such a shallow way.