Maria Amalia of Saxony
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maria Amalia Christina (November 24, 1724 – September 27, 1760) was a princess of Saxony and as wife of Charles III of Spain, Queen Consort of Spain and Naples. .
She was born in Dresden, the daughter of Augustus III of Poland and Maria Josepha, herself daughter of Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1738 at the age of 14, Maria Amalia married Charles of Bourbon, then King of the Two Sicilies.
Despite the fact that this was an arranged marriage, the couple was very close.
Amalia was a very cultivated women, introducing the production of porcelain to Naples, and playing an important role in the construction of the Caserta Palace.
In 1759, Ferdinand VI of Spain, the elder brother of Charles, died without issue, which made the couple King and Queen of Spain. They moved in the same year to Madrid.
In September 1760, Maria Amalia died from tuberculosis.
Charles III commented : "In 22 years of marriage, this is the first time Amalia displeases me". He never married again.
[edit] Children
They had thirteen children; however, only seven reached adulthood.
- Maria Isabella Antonia (María Isabel Antonia) (1740-1742)
- Maria Josepha Antoinette (María Josefa Antonieta) (1742)
- Maria Isabella Anne (María Isabel Ana) (1743-1749)
- Maria Josepha Carmela (María Josefa Carmela) (1744-1801)
- Maria Louisa of Spain (1745-1792), Married Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor.
- Philip (Felipe) (1747-1777), Duke of Calabria but excluded from succession to the throne due to mental disabilities.
- Charles IV (1748-1819), King of Spain, through whom the Spanish branch of Bourbons continues.
- Maria Theresa (María Teresa) (1749)
- Ferdinand I (Ferdinand III of Sicily and Ferdinand IV of Naples) (1751-1825), founder of the Sicily branch of Bourbons.
- Gabriel (1752-1788), Married Marianne Victoria of Portugal (daughter of Maria I of Portugal) and had issue.
- Anna Maria (Ana María) (1754-1755)
- Anthony (Antonio Pascual) (1755-1817), Married his niece María Amalia, daughter of his brother, Charles IV. No issue.
- Francis Xavier (Francisco Javier) (1757-1771)
[edit] Ancestry
|
Maria Amalia of Saxony
Born: 24 November 1724 Died: 27 September 1760 |
||
| Italian royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel |
Queen Consort of Naples and Sicily 1738-1759 |
Succeeded by Marie Caroline of Austria |
| Spanish royalty | ||
| Preceded by Barbara of Portugal |
Queen Consort of Spain 1759-1760 |
Succeeded by Maria Luisa of Parma |
