Joanna of Austria, Princess of Portugal
| Joanna | |
|---|---|
| Princess of Portugal | |
Joanna of Austria; Sánchez Coello, 1557.
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| Born |
24 June 1535 Madrid |
| Died | 7 September 1573 (aged 38) El Escorial |
| Burial | Convent of Las Descalzas Reales |
| Spouse | John Manuel, Prince of Portugal |
| Issue | Sebastian of Portugal |
| House | Habsburg |
| Father | Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Mother | Isabella of Portugal |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Joanna of Austria (in Castilian, doña Juana de Austria; in Portuguese, Dona Joana de Áustria, 24 June 1535 – 7 September 1573) was the mother of Sebastian of Portugal, and later regent of Spain for her brother, Philip II of Spain.
She was born in Madrid to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (who was the first king of united Spain, officially King of Aragon and King of Castile) and his consort Isabella of Portugal. Her siblings were King Philip II of Spain and Maria, Holy Roman Empress.
Among others, Joanna held the titles of an Archduchess of Austria, Infanta of Castile and of Aragon, and princess of Burgundy.
In 1552 Joanna married her double first cousin, John of Portugal, heir of Portugal, who was the sole surviving son of her paternal aunt Catherine of Austria and her maternal uncle John III of Portugal. Joanna's only child, Sebastian of Portugal, was born posthumously in 1554, a couple of weeks after her husband's death at the age of 16.
Shortly after Sebastian's birth, Joanna was called back to Madrid by her brother Philip to act as regent during his absence in England. She filled this role with intelligence and efficiency. Joanna never remarried and never returned to Portugal. She never saw her son Sebastian again, although she sent him letters and had portraits of him painted at various ages so she could see what he looked like.
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