In 1578, Ferenc became the chief commander of Hungarian troops, leading them to war against the Ottomans. With her husband away, Elizabeth was charged with the affairs of the  estate and business.That role usually included providing for the Hungarian and Slovak peasants, even medical care.

Elizabeth and Ferenc did not have children until ten years after they were married. This was due to the fact the he made war a career and was always away. Anna Nádasdy was born in 1585 followed by Katalin Nádasdy in 1595 and a son Paul Nádasdy in 1598. It is also said that Elizabeth had two miscarriages as well giving birth to a total of 6 children.

All of her children were raised by a governess just as she had been.

During this time that her husband was away Elizabeth was said to have been unusually cruel to her servants. One story accuses her of sending a woman naked outside in the winter and doused with water until she froze to death.Many more stories claim that her husband also took part by showing her the equivalent of this form of torturer by pouring honey on a woman and sending her outside to be eaten alive by insects.

On January 6, 1604, Ferenc, known as the Black knight of Hungry for his ferocity in battle and habit of impaling enemy prisoners, died due to a mysterious illness. He died in the middle of a battle. He had suffered this illness for two years before it took his life. It is not proven however this illness was rumoured to be the cause of an injury he sustained from a harlot whom he refused to pay.

Elizabeth was said to have started to commit her “crimes” more freely after his death.