Carmen Franco, 1st Duchess of Franco facts for kids
María del Carmen Franco y Polo (born September 14, 1926 – died December 29, 2017) was the only child of Francisco Franco, who was the leader of Spain for many years, and his wife, Carmen Polo. She was known by several friendly nicknames like Nenuca, Carmelilla, Carmencita, Cotota, and Morita.
Quick facts for kids
María del Carmen Franco y Polo
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| Marchioness of Villaverde | |
Carmen Franco (left) during her visit to Finland in 1971.
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| Duchess of Franco | |
| Tenure | 26 November 1975 – 29 December 2017 |
| Successor | María del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú y Franco |
| Born | María del Carmen Franco y Polo 14 September 1926 Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
| Died | 29 December 2017 (aged 91) Madrid, Spain |
| Spouse(s) | Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú, 10th Marquis of Villaverde (m. 1950–1998) |
| Issue | Carmen Martínez-Bordiú, 2nd Duchess of Franco María de la O Martínez-Bordiú Francisco Franco, 2nd Lord of Meirás María del Mar Martínez-Bordiu José Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú María de Aránzazu Martínez-Bordiú Jaime Felipe Martínez-Bordiú |
| Father | Francisco Franco |
| Mother | Carmen Polo, 1st Lady of Meirás |
Her Family Life
Carmen Franco was born in Oviedo, a city in Spain. On April 10, 1950, she married Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú, 10th Marquis of Villaverde. Her husband was a very skilled surgeon. In 1968, he performed the first heart transplant operation ever done in Spain.
Carmen and Cristóbal had seven children together:
- María del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1951). She married Prince Alfonso, Duke of Anjou.
- María de la O "Mariola" Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1952). She married Rafael Ardid y Villoslada.
- Francisco de Asís Franco y Martínez-Bordiú (born 1954).
- María del Mar "Merry" Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1956). She married twice.
- José Cristóbal Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1958). He married Josefina Victoria Toledo y López.
- María de Aránzazu "Arantxa" Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1962). She married Claudio Quiraga y Ferro.
- Jaime Felipe Martínez-Bordiú y Franco (born 1964). He has married twice.
Later Life and Titles
After her father passed away in 1975, King Juan Carlos gave Carmen Franco a special title. She became the Duchess of Franco and a grandee of Spain. A "grandee" is a very high rank of nobility in Spain. This new title also came with a special coat of arms. This coat of arms was a new design based on an old family crest.
Death
Carmen Franco passed away from cancer on December 29, 2017, in Madrid. She was 91 years old. She was buried next to her husband in the crypt of Almudena Cathedral.
Awards and Recognition
- Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Beneficence
See also
In Spanish: Carmen Franco y Polo para niños
