Profile of the Day: Louis XVI of France

Posted August 23, 2022 by Amanda | No Comment

On this day in 1754, Louis XVI of France was born at the Palace of Versailles. The French monarch was the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.

Image: Louis XVI of France / New York Public Library

Louis-Auguste was the second son of Louis, the Dauphin of France, and Marie-Josèphe of Saxony, the daughter of Augustus III, the King of Poland. Louis became the Dauphin at the age of 11 after the death of his older brother and his father. At the age of 15, he married Marie Antoinette, who was 14 years old and his second cousin once removed through Leopold I.

When his grandfather, Louis XV, died in 1774, Louis inherited the throne. During his reign, the monarchy became increasingly unpopular due to France’s deep debts. An ineffective leader, hostilities increased amongst the people, eventually leading to the French Revolution. During the revolution, Louis XVI was arrested and tried for treason. He was found guilty and executed on January 21, 1793. A few months later, his wife was also executed by guillotine.

Have you found your connection to the French monarch? Explore Louis XVI’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related!