Initially when Napoleon was exiled on Elba, he assumed Marie-Louise would join him there with their son. To be fair, she planned to.
Her father, the Austrian Emperor, organised for her to initially return to Austria. The events leading up to Napoleon’s abdication and the journey back to Austria took their toll on Marie-Louise and her father gave her permission to go to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains. Knowing she fully intended to join Napoleon, her father took precautions. He organised for a trusted General, Count von Niepperg, to accompany her to ensure she did not follow through.
Von Niepperg knew exactly what was expected. He predicted that he would be Marie-Louise’ best friend within six weeks and her lover within six months. In fact, they became lovers within three months and any thought of joining Napoleon was over.
Part of the treaty following Napoleon’s abdication was that Marie-Louise would become the Duchess of Parma (in northern Italy) in her own right. Napoleon’s return to France for the Hundred Days complicated this but finally after his second exile to Saint Helena, Marie-Louise left Austria to take her new role as the Duchess of Parma. It was less than two weeks before her son’s fifth birthday.
Niepperg went with her. Her son was left in Austria with his grandfather.
Niepperg became the Governor of Parma. Marie-Louise gave birth to a daughter and a son. They were illegitimate and could not live at the palace with her. Her father in Austria was fully aware of the situation. Her son by Napoleon was not.
After a two year absence, she returned to Vienna for a two month visit. She did not see “Franz” again for two years, a pattern she maintained.
Shortly after receiving the news that Napoleon had died on Saint Helena, Marie-Louise married Niepperg and their children were able to move into the palace. (They were officially his children, because her status would not allow recognition of the illegitimate children).
Niepperg died eight years later. Napoleon’s son was finally told by his grandfather what had actually been going on and that he had a half brother and half sister. He stopped writing to his mother, whom he described as “good but weak”.
When her son fell gravely ill in Austria Marie-Louise returned in time to be with him when he died.
Back in Parma, she had taken a number of lovers after the death of Niepperg. Two years after the death of her son in Austria, Marie-Louise secretly married for a third time. Her new husband, a French officer who had served in the Austrian army governed the Duchy of Parma as Grand Chamberlain.
They were married for 13 years.
Marie-Louise became ill on her 56th birthday and died five days later.
In spite of periods of political turmoil, her administration of Parma is generally well regarded.
