 After a memorable 90th birthday , where she was surrounded by her now vast family , Zita 's strong health began to fail . She developed inoperable cataracts in both eyes . Her last big family gathering took place at Zizers , in 1987 , when her children and grandchildren joined in celebrating Empress Zita 's 95th birthday . While visiting her daughter , in summer 1988 , she developed pneumonia and spent most of the autumn and winter bedridden . Finally , she called Otto , in early March 1989 , and told him she was dying . He and the rest of the family travelled to her bedside and took turns keeping her company until she died in the early hours of 14 March 1989 . She was 96 years old . 
