Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria

Elisabeth von Wittelsbach (Known as "The Queen Nurse")

Queen of the Belgians, Frontline WWI Nurse, Founder of Queen Elisabeth Competition

Born Jul 25, 1876

Possenhofen Castle (Bavaria), Germany

Passed Away Nov 23, 1965 Brussels (Stuyvenberg Castle), Belgium

Lifespan 89 years old

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"Art and mercy are the twin lights that keep human compassion alive through the darkest nights of war."

Archival Overview

Revered Queen of the Belgians, Duchess in Bavaria, who tended wounded soldiers on the Yser front lines in World War I, sheltered Jewish children in World War II, and founded the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Competition.

Biographical Record

Daughter of Duke Karl Theodor in Bavaria (a noted ophthalmologist), Elisabeth married Prince Albert in 1900. During World War I, she remained at the front in De Panne, establishing the L'Océan military hospital and nursing wounded soldiers daily, earning the title 'The Queen Nurse'.

A passionate violinist and close personal friend of Albert Einstein and Pablo Casals, she founded the Medical Foundation Queen Elisabeth and the Eugene Ysaÿe Competition (now Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition) in 1937. For saving hundreds of Jewish children during the Holocaust, Yad Vashem recognized her as Righteous Among the Nations.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Royal Crypt (Church of Our Lady of Laeken)
Laeken (Brussels), Belgium

                         GPS: 50.8789, 4.3556                    

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