Elisabeth Ulrike of Anhalt-Zerbst was the youngest sister of Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst (Catherine the Great), who ruled as Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. Commonly known as Catherine the Great, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, Sophie was the longest-serving female monarch of the Russian Empire, and is considered one of the golden periods in Russian history. Her reign witnessed a renaissance in Russia in terms of social, economic, and geographical expansion.
Elisabeth Ulrike’s older brother Frederick Augustus was the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. His reign sent soldiers to Britain in the American Revolutionary in exchange for monetary compensation. He died in exile in Luxembourg as he fled due to an attack from the Kingdom of Prussia.
Elisabeth Ulrike of Anhalt-Zerbst’s Family Background
Elisabeth Ulrike was born on 17 December 1742, to Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and Johanna Elisabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Her father Christian August was a German prince of the House of Ascania, who ruled the Principality of Anhalt-Dornburg-Zerbst since 1742. He was also a Prussian Generalfeldmarschall. Elisabeth’smother Johanna Elisabeth was a member of the German House of Holstein-Gottorp. She was a princess consort of Anhalt-Zerbst, served as regent of Anhalt-Zerbst from 1747 to 1752.
Elisabeth Ulrike’s father Christian August was the third son of John Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Dornburg, and Christine Eleonore of Zeutsch who ruled Anhalt-Dornburg. Elisabeth Ulrike had older 4 siblings: Sophie Auguste Fredericka, William Christian Frederick, Frederick Augustus, and Auguste Christine Charlotte. Sophie won born on May 2, 1729. Elisabeth died on 5 March 1745 in Zerbst when she was just 2 years old.
Elisabeth Ulrike of Anhalt-Zerbst’s Career
Elisabeth Ulrike’s sister Sophie was crowned at the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow as Catherine the Great on 22 September 1762. Under her reign, Russia saw its biggest and fastest expansion across all borders. Catherine had asked all the churches and religious places to help pay for her wars. Introducing major reforms in administration in 1767, Catherine mandated the automatic promotion of civil servants after seven in on rank.
Catherine’s life has inspired many books, TV shows, and films. TV series made about Catherine are- Young Catherine (1991), Ekaterina, Catherine the Great (1995), Catherine the Great (2015), and Catherine the Great (2019). The Scarlet Empress (1934), The Rise of Catherine the Great (1934), A Royal Scandal (1945), Great Catherine (1968), and The Captain’s Daughter (2000) are notable films made about Catherine.
Elisabeth Ulrike of Anhalt-Zerbst’s Family Net Worth
Named after the Empress of Russia little Elisabeth Ulrike, unfortunately, could not grow old enough to serve her monarchy and own wealth as she died as an infant at the age of 2 years. As she belonged to the royal family of Anhalt-Zerbst, undoubtedly her family would have had all richness. As per the census undertaken from 1754 to 1762, Catherine had 500,000 serfs/ servants and 2.8 million belonged to the Russian Empire. Russia had grown to become the largest empire in the world with a strong economy and boundaries spreading from Alaska in the east to New Russia, Crimea, Northern Caucasus, Right-bank Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania in the East.
