Infanta Maria Teresa of Braganza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Infanta Maria Teresa of Braganza |
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| Princess of Beira Infanta Pedro Carlos of Spain and Portugal Countess of Molina |
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| Born | 29 April 1793 Ajuda, Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal |
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| Died | 17 January 1874 (aged 80) Trieste, Austria-Hungary |
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| Spouse |
Infante Pedro Carlos of Spain and Portugal
(m. 1810; died 1812) |
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| Issue | Infante Sebastião of Spain and Portugal | ||||
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| House | Braganza | ||||
| Father | John VI of Portugal | ||||
| Mother | Carlota Joaquina of Spain | ||||
Infanta Maria Teresa of Braganza was born on April 29, 1793. She was the first child of King John VI of Portugal and Queen Carlota Joaquina of Spain. Maria Teresa lived a long life, passing away on January 17, 1874.
Her Early Life
Maria Teresa was born in Ajuda, Lisbon, Portugal. This was in 1793, when her grandmother, Queen Maria I, ruled the country. Maria Teresa was the oldest child of the Prince and Princess of Brazil. They later became King John VI and Queen Carlota Joaquina. Her mother was the daughter of King Charles IV of Spain.
Because she was the oldest child of the future king, Maria Teresa received a special title. She was called the Princess of Beira. She held this title until her younger brother, Francisco António, was born in 1795.
Her Marriages
On May 13, 1810, Maria Teresa got married in Rio de Janeiro. The royal family was living there because of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. She married her cousin, Infante Pedro Carlos of Spain and Portugal.
Sadly, she became a widow on May 26, 1812. This was soon after she gave birth to her only child, a son. His name was Infante Sebastian (1811–1875).
Maria Teresa was very traditional in her beliefs. She strongly supported her younger brother, Miguel I, in his efforts to become King of Portugal. This led to a civil war from 1826 to 1834. She also supported her uncle and brother-in-law, Infante Don Carlos, in his attempts to become King of Spain.
During the last years of her uncle King Ferdinand VII's rule (he died in 1833), Maria Teresa lived in Madrid. She worked to make Don Carlos's claim to the Spanish throne stronger. She was a key supporter of Carlism, which was a movement that wanted Don Carlos to be king. She also supported the church and traditional ideas. Her sister, Francisca, who was married to Carlos, died in 1834.
The Spanish Throne
On January 15, 1837, the Spanish government made a law. This law said that Maria Teresa could not inherit the Spanish throne. Her right to the throne came from her mother. But she was removed because she was seen as a rebel, just like Don Carlos. Her son Sebastian's rights were also taken away. However, Sebastian's rights were given back to him in Spain in 1859. Don Carlos's sons and Maria Teresa's brother Miguel were also excluded by this same law.
The next year, in 1838, she married again. Her second husband was her brother-in-law, uncle, and longtime ally, Infante Carlos of Spain (1788–1855). She believed he was the true king of Spain. He was also the widower of her sister, Maria Francisca. Maria Teresa and Carlos did not have any children together. But she took care of her stepsons, who were also her nephews and cousins.
Soon after, they had to leave Spain because they did not win the civil war. They never returned to Spain. Maria Teresa died in Trieste on January 17, 1874. She lived nineteen years longer than her second husband.
Special Awards
Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa
Dame of the Order of Queen Saint Isabel
Dame of the Order of Queen Maria Luisa
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See also
In Spanish: María Teresa de Braganza para niños
