Margarita Saxe-Coburg-Gotha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela |
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| Tsaritsa of Bulgaria (titular) | |
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Margarita and Simeon in 2017
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| Born | 6 January 1935 Madrid, Spanish Republic |
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| Father | Manuel Gómez-Acebo y Modet, 4th Marquess of Cortina |
| Mother | María de las Mercedes Cejuela y Fernández |
| Religion | Bulgarian Orthodox prev. Roman Catholic |
Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela was born on January 6, 1935. She is the wife of Simeon II of Bulgaria, who used to be the King of Bulgaria. After he was no longer king, they got married. Because of her marriage, she is sometimes called Tsaritsa Margarita. A Tsaritsa is like a queen. Her husband's family also has old titles from Germany, like Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. When her husband was the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, she was sometimes known as Margarita Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The current government in Bulgaria does not officially recognize these royal titles.
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Early Life of Margarita Gómez-Acebo
Birth and Family Background
Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela was born in Madrid, Spain, on January 6, 1935. She was the second child and only daughter of her parents. Her father, Manuel Gómez-Acebo y Modet, was a lawyer and came from a noble Spanish family. Her mother was María de las Mercedes Cejuela y Fernández.
Childhood During the Spanish Civil War
When Margarita was very young, the Spanish Civil War began in 1936. Sadly, her parents and her grandmother were arrested. They were later killed in November 1936. Because of what happened to her parents, Margarita and her older brother, José-Luis, received a special medal. It was called the "Suffering for the Motherland Medal."
After their parents died, Margarita and José-Luis lived with a friend of their father's for a while. Then, they had to travel through Spain and France to stay with their paternal grandmother. After her grandmother passed away in 1940, they lived with other relatives. This included her uncle, Don Jaime Gómez-Acebo, and his wife. Their cousin, Don Luis Gómez-Acebo, later married Infanta Pilar of Spain, who was the sister of King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
Where Margarita and Simeon Live Now
Margarita and Simeon currently live in Vrana Palace. This palace is near Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It was Simeon's childhood home. The palace was given back to them by a court in Bulgaria. They have an agreement with the city of Sofia. Part of the palace grounds is used as a public park for everyone to enjoy. In return, the family owns the rest of the property, including their home. Some politicians in Bulgaria still question this agreement, even though the court approved it.
Margarita's Marriage and Family
Margarita married Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha on January 21, 1962. He was the former king of Bulgaria. Margarita and Simeon have five children together. They have four sons and one daughter:
- Kardam, Prince of Turnovo (1962–2015): He married Miriam Ungría y López. They had two sons, Prince Boris and Prince Beltran.
- Kyril, Prince of Preslav (born 1964): He married María del Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdórfila. They have two daughters, Princess Mafalda and Olimpia, and one son, Prince Tassilo.
- Kubrat, Prince of Panagyurishte (born 1965): He married Carla María de la Soledad Royo-Villanova y Urrestarazu. They have three sons: Princes Mirko, Lukás, and Tirso.
- Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin (born 1967): He married María García de la Rasilla y Gortázar. They have twins, Prince Umberto and Princess Sofia.
- Princess Kalina of Bulgaria, Countess of Murány (born 1972): She married Antonio José "Kitín" Muñoz y Valcárcel. They have one son, Simeon Hassan.
Honors and Awards Received by Margarita
Margarita has received several honors and awards from different countries and organizations.
National Honors
- Spain: She holds the rank of Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.
- Spain: She also received the Suffering for the Motherland Medal.
Royal Family Honors
- Bulgaria (House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry): She is a Dame Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Saint Alexander.
- Bulgaria (House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry): She is also a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Civil Merit.
International Honors
- Sovereign Military Order of Malta: She is a Dame Grand Cross of the Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Organizations Margarita Supports
Margarita is a patron of several organizations, meaning she supports them and helps them with their work.
In Bulgaria
- She is a patron of the Bulgarian EuroChild Club.
- She also supports the 'For Life' Cancer Charity.
In Other Countries
- Germany: She is a patron of the Business Women's Society BWS.
- Switzerland: She is a patron of the International Women's Club IWC.
