Archduchess Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Este
| Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Este | |
|---|---|
| Electress of Bavaria | |
 |
|
| Born |
10 December 1776 Milan, Duchy of Milan |
| Died | 23 June 1848 (aged 71) Wasserburg am Inn, Bavaria |
| Spouse |
Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria Count Ludwig von Arco |
| Issue | Count Aloys Nikolaus von Arco Count Maximilian Joseph von Arco Countess Caroline von Arco |
| House |
House of Austria-Este House of Wittelsbach |
| Father | Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este |
| Mother | Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d'Este |
Archduchess Maria Leopoldine of Austria-Este (10 December 1776 – 23 June 1848), was the second wife of Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria.
Archduchess Maria Leopoldine Anna Josephine Johanna of Austria-Este was born in Milan on 10 December 1776 as the fourth child and third (but second surviving) daughter of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Este and of his wife, Princess Maria Beatrice Ricciarda d'Este. Her father, the second youngest son of Empress Maria Theresa, and her mother were the founders of the House of Habsburg-Este. Although Archduke Ferdinand wasn't as gifted as his eldest brother Joseph II, his rule as Governor General of Lombardy made him extremely popular; he and his wife sought closeness to their subjects and owed their high esteem above all to their social commitment.
Ferdinand Karl and Maria Beatrice were loving parents and concentrated on the education of their children. They tried to raise their sons to high positions and marry their daughters favorably. Above all, Ferdinand's thoughts were marked by his mother's dynastic way of thinking, and so he made early favorable marriage plans for his children. Firstly, he arranged the marriage of his eldest daughter Maria Theresa (named after her grandmother) Victor Emmanuel, Duke of Aosta and heir presumptive of King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia in 1789. Maria Leopoldine was at this time thirteen and had evolved into a fun-loving and pretty girl with a strong Italian temperament. Even then, she openly expressed her opinion and protested loudly against unjust treatment.
Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria was married since 1742 with Countess Palatine Elisabeth Auguste of Sulzbach; however their union wasn't happy and only produced one son, who died after one day of life. Charles Theodore was the father of numerous illegitimate children from his relationships with Françoise Després-Verneuil and Josefa Seyffert, who had any claims to the Electorate. The Palatinate-Sulzbach branch of the House of Wittelsbach was threatened to die out after the death of the Elector, if he couldn't fathered any legitimate descendants. Therefore Charles Theodore decided after the death of his wife in August 1794 to contracted a second marriage with an Archduchess of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty, since they were regarded as one of the most prestigious ruling families in Europe. Looking for a suitable Habsburg bride to became in the new Electress of Bavaria, Emperor Francis II selected his cousin, Archduchess Maria Leopoldina of Austria-Este, who was described as a beautiful, well-grown and educated girl. Also a physical defect, a shorter left leg, is mentioned. Furthermore, their dance skills are praised and the potential ability to bear children was highlighted.
...
Wikipedia