Maria Amalia

Maria Amalia was born in Paris on December 1, 1831. Her father was the legendary Pedro I.

Pedro I had once been King of Brazil and had also ruled Portugal. In the end, he had given both crowns to his children.

Maria Amalia, however, was not so fortunate. In fact, despite being Pedro I's legitimate child, she had nearly failed to receive the title of Princess of Brazil.

The Brazilian government had been unwilling to grant the princess an annuity. It took more than a year of haggling before Pedro II personally intervened and secured the title of Princess of Brazil for Maria Amalia.

Maria Amalia and her mother had not had an easy life in Portugal. Her mother claimed they had gone to Munich so Maria Amalia could receive a better education, but in truth, there were few schools for girls at the time, and most noblewomen were educated at home.

Besides, Bavaria was then renowned as a backwater in Germany, so it was hard to believe they had left Queluz Palace as soon as they had an income for any reason other than to escape Portugal.

Maria Amalia's mother, Amélie de Beauharnais, was the daughter of the French general Eugène de Beauharnais and the Bavarian princess Auguste Amalie Ludovika.

Ludwig I had treated his full sister very well, but he regarded Amélie de Beauharnais as a disgrace to Bavaria.

Fortunately, Ludwig I was indifferent to most things in the world. He cared only about his art and his mistresses.

Growing up in these circumstances, Maria Amalia worked exceptionally hard, a quality rarely seen among royals and great nobles of the time.

This was especially true of women, who, according to the customs of the day, were expected to be dutiful wives and loving mothers, not to know too