The story of the most famous heroine in Hungarian history

Europe’s bravest woman is the most famous heroine in Hungarian history. Not only her knowledge and her literacy made her an icon but her courage and acts. She was not just a wife and a mother, but the bravest defender of the Castle of Munkács and that battle made her Europe’s most well-known woman in that time.

Ilona Zrínyi was born in Ozaly (Croatia) as the daughter of Péter Zrínyi (Ban of Croatia [1665–1670]) and Katalin Frangepán (grandmother of Ferenc Rákóczi II). As a little child, she received an excellent education: she spoke four languages and had excellent skills in writing and reading. There is a constant debate about the year when Zrínyi was born: some sources mention 1643, but there are others about 1652. Her name became known in Europe when she got married to one of the most famous and influential Hungarian aristocrats Ferenc Rákóczi I. Their ceremony was the biggest event in that time in Hungary, and many aristocrats and noble families attended. 

This marriage provided an excellent opportunity for the two noble families to unite. Influenced by political and economic background, it is possible that Ilona Zrínyi did not feel any love for her husband at all and only married her because of the obligation of the family.

After the wedding, the young couple settled down in the Castle of Sárospatak (Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County). Their first child György Rákóczi was born on November 1, 1667, but died after a few months. Their next child, born only after five years, was called Borbála Julianna, and four years later Ferenc Rákóczi II. Unfortunately, his father did not have much time to enjoy the arrival of his newborn son as he died four months after the birth of the little boy. In his last letter, he wanted his children to be given to a guardian, but Ilona Zrínyi did not let anyone take the children away from their mother. They moved to another property of the family: the Castle of Munkács (today: Mukachevo, Ukraine).

Her relationship with her mother-in-law was getting worse and worse day by day, but Ilona Zrínyi stayed next to her all the time to take care of her. Besides taking care of her children and family members, she also supervised all the lands and properties of the Rákóczi Family.