María del Pilar Acedo y Sarriá facts for kids

María del Pilar Acedo y Sarriá (1784–1869) was a Spanish noblewoman. She held the title of Marchioness de Montehermoso. She was a very well-known person in Spain during the time Joseph Bonaparte was king. She was famous for her important connections and her close relationship with the king.

Early Life and Talents

María del Pilar Acedo y Sarriá was born in 1784. Her father was José María Manuel Acedo y Atodo, the Count of Echauz. Her mother was Luisa de Sarria y Villafañe. She was a childhood friend of Theresa Cabarrus.

In 1800, she married Ortuño de Aguirre y del Corral, the Marquis of Montehermoso. They had one daughter together. María spent most of her early life in the city of Vitoria, Spain.

Her father and husband were part of an important group called the Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del País. This meant she grew up in a time of new ideas, known as the Enlightenment. She was described as a beautiful woman with modern views. She spoke French and Italian, and she was very artistic. She enjoyed painting, writing poetry, playing the guitar and piano, and singing. Later, she inherited the title Countess of Vado from her aunt.

Connection to King Joseph Bonaparte

In October 1807, the French army took control of her hometown, Vitoria. María met Joseph Bonaparte when he was traveling to Madrid. Napoleon had made him the new King of Spain.

In September 1808, King Joseph stayed at her home, the Palace de Montehermoso, in Vitoria. During this time, she became a close companion to the King. In November, she went with him to Madrid and lived in the royal palace. Her husband was given a special title by King Joseph. He was also given the job of welcoming Napoleon at the border in 1809.

In 1811, María stayed in Vitoria while King Joseph was in Paris. Her husband went with the King and sadly passed away in France.

Life in France

In March 1813, María left Spain and moved to France with King Joseph Bonaparte. This was just before the Battle of Vitoria. She settled in France and lived there until she died in 1869.

She first lived in a place called Barèges, where she had a small group of friends around her. In 1816, she married a French noble officer named Amadeo de Carabène. They settled in a castle called Carresse in Bearn. She received money from her properties in Spain and was involved in helping others through charity work.