Maria Theresa of Austria-Este (1849–1919) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria Theresa of Austria-Este |
|
|---|---|
Queen Maria Theresa c. 1910–15
|
|
| Queen consort of Bavaria | |
| Tenure | 5 November 1913 – 7 November 1918 |
| Born | 2 July 1849 Brünn, Austrian Empire (modern Brno, Czech Republic) |
| Died | 3 February 1919 (aged 69) Wildenwart Castle, Chiemgau, Bavaria, Germany |
| Spouse | Ludwig III of Bavaria |
| Issue More |
Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria Princess Adelgunde, Princess of Hohenzollern Princess Maria Ludwiga, Duchess of Calabria Prince Karl Prince Franz Princess Mathilde Prince Wolfgang Princess Hildegarde Princess Notburga Princess Wiltrud, Duchess of Urach Princess Helmtrud Princess Dietlinde Princess Gundelinde, Countess of Preysing-Lichtenegg-Moos |
| House | Austria-Este |
| Father | Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este |
| Mother | Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria |
| Religion | Catholicism |
Maria Theresa Henriette Dorothea of Austria-Este (born July 2, 1849 – died February 3, 1919) was the very last Queen of Bavaria. She was also known as Marie Therese. She was the only child of Archduke Ferdinand Karl Viktor of Austria-Este and Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria.
Contents
Life of Queen Maria Theresa
On February 20, 1868, Maria Theresa married Prince Ludwig in Vienna. He was the oldest son of Bavaria's Prince Regent Luitpold. The couple fell in love during Ludwig's visit to Austria for a funeral.
Their decision to marry at first made the Emperor angry. He had wanted Maria Theresa to marry Ferdinand IV, Grand Duke of Tuscany.
The family mostly lived on their farms in Leutstetten, south of Munich. There, Maria Theresa enjoyed growing beautiful rose gardens.
Becoming Queen
Maria Theresa became the queen consort of Bavaria in 1913. This happened when her husband, Prince Regent Ludwig, declared himself King Ludwig III. He took the place of his cousin, King Otto, who was still alive but unwell.
She became the first Catholic queen in Bavaria since Bavaria became a kingdom in 1806. Maria Theresa was very good with languages. She could speak German, Hungarian, Czech, French, and Italian.
During World War I
In 1914, Queen Maria Theresa hosted many celebrations for the royal Bavarian jubilee. She appeared with her husband when World War I was announced.
During the war, she visited soldiers who were hurt. She also encouraged the women of Bavaria to help the troops. They did this by providing food and clothes.
End of Her Reign
On November 7, 1918, King Ludwig III was forced to give up his throne. This meant Maria Theresa was no longer queen. She and her family quickly left Munich for Wildenwart Castle. They wanted to escape from the Bolsheviks.
The Queen's health quickly got worse, and she died there on February 3, 1919. She was first buried at the local chapel. Later, on November 5, 1921, her remains were moved to the main cathedral in Munich. Her husband's remains were also moved there at the same time.
Her Family and Children
On February 20, 1868, Maria Theresa married the future King Ludwig III. They were married at St. Augustine's Church in Vienna. Ludwig III would become the last king of Bavaria.
Maria Theresa and Ludwig had thirteen children together:
- Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria (born May 18, 1869 – died August 2, 1955).
- Princess Adelgunde (born October 17, 1870 – died January 4, 1958). She married Prince Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen.
- Princess Maria (born July 6, 1872 – died June 10, 1954). She married Prince Ferdinando Pius, Duke of Calabria.
- Prince Karl (born April 1, 1874 – died May 9, 1927).
- Prince Franz (born October 10, 1875 – died January 25, 1957). He married Princess Isabella Antonie of Croÿ.
- Princess Mathilde (born August 17, 1877 – died August 6, 1906). She married Prince Ludwig of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
- Prince Wolfgang Maria Leopold (born July 2, 1879 – died January 31, 1895).
- Princess Hildegarde (born March 5, 1881 – died February 2, 1948).
- Princess Notburga (born March 19, 1883 – died March 24, 1883).
- Princess Wiltrud (born November 10, 1884 – died March 28, 1975). She married Wilhelm, Duke of Urach.
- Princess Helmtrud (born March 22, 1886 – died June 23, 1977).
- Princess Dietlinde (born January 2, 1888 – died February 14, 1889). She lived for 13 months.
- Princess Gundelinde (born August 26, 1891 – died August 16, 1983). She married Johann Georg, Count von Preysing-Lichtenegg-Moos.
Awards and Recognition
Maria Theresa received several important awards during her life:
Kingdom of Bavaria : She was the Grand Mistress of the Order of Saint Elizabeth and the Order of Theresa. She also received the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, the Cross of Merit for the Year 1870/71, and the Cross of Merit for Voluntary Nursing.
Spain: She was a Dame of the Order of Queen Maria Luisa.
Austrian Empire: She was a Dame of the Order of the Starry Cross and the Order of Elizabeth, 1st Class.
Prussia: She received the Red Cross Medal, 1st Class.
