Katharina Schratt
* 11. Sep 1853, † 17. Apr 1940
From 1883 to 1900 Katharina Schratt was a member of the ensemble at the Vienna Court Theatre, where she achieved great popularity with audiences. Awarded the honorary title of Court Actress in 1887, in 1893 she was made a lifelong member of the Palace Theatre. For several decades she had an intimate friendship with Emperor Franz Joseph – a relationship that was approved of by Empress Elisabeth. The emperor visited her nearly every day in the villa near Schönbrunn Palace he had bought for her.
