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Jul 28, 2009 · Sophie, Duchess von Hohenberg. (1868-1914) Born in Stuttgart on March 1st. Wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir-apparent to the Austro-Hungarian empire. Shot and killed along with her husband in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. Countess (Gräfin) Sophie Chotek von Chotkova und Wognin was born into a Czech family of the lesser nobility.
Although Sophie did not openly interfere in day-to-day political decision-making, she was de facto the political mastermind and ‘agenda-setter’ behind her son. As the ‘secret empress’ she became a figure of hate for the liberal forces in the monarchy.
Often viewed as the "spark" that ignited the First World War, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated on June 28, 1914. As one of the very first nations to declare war, Austria accused Serbia of plotting and backing the assassination and threatened invasion.
