Giselle of Bavaria

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Blessed Giselle of Bavaria
Queen of Hungary
Born c. 985
Died 7 May 1033 or 1065, Passau, Germany
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified 1975
Feast 1 February
7 May
Saints Portal
Bone of queen Giselle. Kept in a church in Veszprem (Hungary)
Bone of queen Giselle. Kept in a church in Veszprem (Hungary)

Giselle of Bavaria (also Gisela or Gizella) (c. 9851033 or 1065) was the daughter of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and Gisela of Burgundy.

She married King Stephen I of Hungary in 995 (some sources say 1008) as a part of Hungary's policy of opening up to the West. The couple had at least three children, including Saint Emeric (Szent Imre), but all of their children died young without further descendants.

She lived an honorable life and helped Christianize the Hungarian people. After the death of her husband Stephen, she was forced to leave Hungary. She lived in the nunnery of Niedernburg in Passau, where she died. Her grave is a well-known holy place.

Her canonisation was attempted in the 18th century but failed. She was declared Blessed in 1975.

Her memorial days are May 7 (the day of her death) and February 1.