Countess Palatine Dorothea Sophie of Neuburg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dorothea Sophie
Countess Palatine of Neuburg
Dorothea by an unknown artist
Duchess consort of Parma and Piacenza
Tenure	7 December 1696 – 26 May 1727
Born	(1670-07-05)5 July 1670 Neuburg Palace, Neuburg
Died	15 September 1748(1748-09-15) (aged 78) Parma, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza
Burial	Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata
Spouse	Odoardo, Hereditary Prince of Parma Francesco, Duke of Parma
Issue Detail	Prince Alessandro Ignazio Elisabeth, Queen of Spain
Full name Dorothea Sophie
House	Wittelsbach
Father	Philip William, Elector Palatine
Mother	Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt

Dorothea Sophie of Neuburg (born July 5, 1670 – died September 15, 1748) was a powerful noblewoman. She became the Duchess of Parma from 1696 to 1727. This happened when she married Francesco, Duke of Parma. Later, she also served as the leader, or Regent, of the Duchy of Parma. She ruled for her grandson, Charles of Spain, from 1731 to 1735.

Biography

Early Life and First Marriage

Dorothea Sophie was born at the Neuburg Palace on July 5, 1670. She was one of seventeen children born to Philip William, Elector Palatine, and Landgravine Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt.

On September 17, 1690, Dorothea married Odoardo Farnese, Hereditary Prince of Parma. He was the heir to the throne of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. Their wedding celebrations in Parma were very grand and memorable.

Dorothea and Odoardo had two children together. Their son, Alessandro Ignazio, sadly died when he was a baby. Their daughter, Elisabeth, later became the Queen of Spain.

Duchess of Parma

Odoardo, Dorothea's first husband, passed away on September 6, 1693. This was just a month after their son had died.

A few years later, on December 7, 1696, Dorothea married again. Her new husband was Francesco Farnese. He was Odoardo's half-brother and had become the Duke of Parma in 1694. This marriage was important because Francesco wanted to keep Dorothea's wealth within the family. Dorothea and Francesco did not have any children together.

Francesco Farnese died in 1727. His younger brother, Antonio, then became the Duke of Parma.

Becoming Regent

Antonio, the Duke of Parma, died on January 20, 1731. The day before he died, he had said that his wife, Enrichetta, was expecting a baby. Because of this, a special council was formed to rule the Duchy if a new heir was born.

It was decided that if the baby was a girl, the Duchy of Parma would go to Infante Don Carlos. He was 12 years old at the time. Charles was the eldest son of Elisabeth Farnese, Dorothea Sophie's own daughter. This meant Charles was Antonio's nephew and the closest male heir through the Farnese family.

Enrichetta was made the temporary ruler, or Regent, of Parma. However, there were questions about her pregnancy. Dorothea Sophie, as Charles's grandmother, wanted to protect her grandson's right to the throne.

After some time, it was confirmed that Enrichetta was not pregnant. This meant that the Farnese family line, which had ruled Parma, had come to an end. Because of this, Charles of Spain was officially recognized as the new Duke of Parma and Piacenza.

Since Charles was still young, his grandmother, Dorothea Sophie, was chosen to be his Regent. She would rule the Duchy until he was old enough.

Dorothea Sophie served as Regent for her grandson until 1735. At that time, the Duchy of Parma was given to Austria after a war called the War of the Polish Succession.

Dorothea Sophie died in Parma in 1748. She was buried at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata.

Issue

Dorothea Sophie had two children with her first husband, Odoardo Farnese:

• Alessandro Ignazio Farnese (born December 6, 1691 – died August 5, 1693). He died when he was a baby.
• Elisabeth Farnese (born October 25, 1692 – died July 11, 1766). She married Philip V of Spain and had children.

See also

In Spanish: Dorotea Sofía de Neoburgo para niños