Louis XVIII Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards, Films, Books, Wife

Louis XVIII was a monarch of France who rose to prominence by navigating the turbulent political landscape of post-revolutionary France.

Born into royalty, he gained notoriety for his pivotal role in the Bourbon Restoration, which led to the restoration of the French throne after Napoleon’s fall.

His reign was characterized by attempts to balance monarchical authority with the revolutionary changes that had reshaped French society.

Profile

• Full name: Louis Stanislas Xavier de France
• Nickname: Count of Provence
• Date of birth: November 17, 1755
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Palace of Versailles, France
• State of origin: Île-de-France
• Nationality: French
• Profession: Monarch
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Louis, Dauphin of France and Maria Josepha of Saxony
• Siblings: Louis XVI, Charles X, Élisabeth of France, Clotilde of France
• Spouse: Marie Joséphine of Savoy
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Widowed
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: French
• Net worth: $100 million (in today’s world)

Early Life and Education

Louis Stanislas Xavier de France was born on November 17, 1755, at the Palace of Versailles. He was the fourth son of Louis, Dauphin of France, and Maria Josepha of Saxony, making him a grandson of King Louis XV. His siblings included Louis XVI, who would later be executed during the French Revolution, and Charles X, who succeeded Louis XVIII as king.

Raised in the opulent environment of Versailles, Louis XVIII was immersed in the traditions and expectations of French royalty from an early age. As a member of the royal family, Louis received an education befitting his status. He was tutored in classical languages, history, and the principles of governance.

His education was designed to prepare him for a role in the administration of the kingdom, although he was not initially expected to ascend to the throne. The death of his elder brothers and the political upheavals of the late 18th century eventually positioned him as a central figure in the restoration of the monarchy.

Personal Life

Louis XVIII married Marie Joséphine of Savoy on April 14, 1771. The marriage was arranged to strengthen political alliances between France and the House of Savoy. Despite the union’s political significance, the couple’s relationship was strained.

Contemporary accounts suggest that Louis found his wife unattractive and that the marriage remained unconsummated for several years. Marie Joséphine’s personal hygiene and unfamiliarity with French court customs reportedly contributed to the discord.

The couple experienced two miscarriages in 1774 and 1781 and had no surviving children. Louis XVIII’s personal life was further complicated by rumours of extramarital affairs and his alleged impotence. The absence of direct heirs led to concerns about succession, which were later addressed by the ascension of his brother, Charles X, after Louis XVIII’s death.

Career

Louis XVIII’s political career was deeply intertwined with the dramatic events of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. Initially titled the Count of Provence, he fled France in 1791 as revolutionary fervour intensified.

Following the execution of his brother, Louis XVI, and the death of his nephew, Louis XVII, in 1795, Louis XVIII declared himself the rightful king of France.

During his exile, Louis XVIII sought support from various European monarchies to restore the Bourbon dynasty. He resided in several countries, including Prussia, Russia, and England, where he maintained a court-in-exile and continued to assert his claim to the French throne.

The defeat of Napoleon in 1814 allowed Louis XVIII to return to France and assume the throne, marking the beginning of the Bourbon Restoration. His reign was interrupted in 1815 by Napoleon’s brief return to power during the Hundred Days, but Louis was restored after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo.

As king, Louis XVIII implemented the Charter of 1814, establishing a constitutional monarchy that sought to reconcile revolutionary changes with traditional monarchical authority. His reign continued until he died in 1824.

Awards

• Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit
• Knight of the Order of Saint Louis
• Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
• Knight of the Order of Saint Michael
• Grand Master and Grand Croix of the Legion of Honour
• Grand Master and Grand Croix of the Order of Saint Lazarus
• Grand Cross of the Order of St. Stephen (Austria)
• Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark)
• Grand Cross of the Sash of the Three Orders (Portugal)
• Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia)
• Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle (Prussia)
• Knight of the Order of St. Andrew (Russia)
• Knight of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (Russia)
• Stranger Knight of the Order of the Garter (United Kingdom)

Net Worth

As a monarch in the 18th and 19th centuries, Louis XVIII’s wealth was tied to the assets and revenues of the French crown, including lands, properties, and state resources. According to modern valuations, his estimated net worth is around $100 million.

Death

Louis XVIII died on September 16, 1824, in Paris, France. He was 68 years old at the time of his death. His passing marked the end of his reign and the continuation of the Bourbon Restoration under his brother, Charles X.

Controversy

Louis XVIII’s reign was marked by several controversies that reflected the complexities of post-revolutionary France. One significant issue was his attempt to balance the restoration of the monarchy with the revolutionary changes that had transformed French society.

The Charter of 1814, which he promulgated, aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy, but it faced criticism from both royalists and republicans.

Royalists felt it conceded too much to revolutionary ideals, while republicans viewed it as a step backward toward absolutism. Another source of controversy was Louis XVIII’s handling of political factions. He faced pressure from Ultra-royalists, who sought to reverse revolutionary reforms and restore the old regime’s privileges.

Louis attempted to moderate their influence by appointing centrist ministers and dissolving the ultra-dominated Chamber of Deputies in 1816. However, the assassination of his nephew, the Duke of Berry, in 1820 led to a resurgence of Ultra-royalist power, further polarizing French politics. Louis XVIII’s foreign policy also drew criticism.

His support for the Holy Alliance’s intervention in Spain to restore King Ferdinand VII’s absolute monarchy was seen by many as an endorsement of reactionary policies. This move alienated liberal elements in France and contributed to the perception that Louis XVIII favoured autocratic rule over constitutional governance.

Additionally, Louis XVIII’s personal life was subject to scrutiny. His estranged relationship with his wife, Marie Joséphine, and the lack of an heir raised questions about the succession and stability of the monarchy. Rumours about his health and alleged indulgence in food and drink further tarnished his public image.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Portrayed by Orson Welles in the 1970 film Waterloo.
• Portrayed by Sebastian Armesto in the 2006 film Marie Antoinette.
• Portrayed by Jack Archer in the 2022 TV series Marie Antoinette.
• Portrayed by Ian McNeice in the 2023 film Napoleon.

Books

• Réflexions historiques sur Marie Antoinette