Religion Roman Catholicism | Name Maria Princess | |
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Born 15 October 1527Coimbra ( 1527-10-15 ) Children Carlos, Prince of Asturias Parents John III of Portugal, Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal Siblings Joao Manuel, Prince of Portugal, Afonso, Prince of Portugal Similar People Philip II of Spain, Carlos - Prince of Asturias, Elisabeth of Valois, Anna of Austria - Queen of, Catherine of Austria - Queen of |
Maria manuela princess of portugal princess of the asturias
Dona Maria Manuela (15 October 1527–12 July 1545) was the eldest daughter and second child of King John III of Portugal and his wife Catherine of Austria. She was Princess of Asturias and Duchess of Milan as the first wife of the future Philip II of Spain, and Princess of Portugal as heir presumptive to the Portuguese throne between 1527 and 1535.
Contents
- Maria manuela princess of portugal princess of the asturias
- Early life
- Marriage and Later Life
- References

Early life

Maria was born in Coimbra on 15 October 1527 and was one of the few children of John III to survive childhood. In her youth, Maria received a humanistic education that was considered typical for a princess of her time.
Marriage and Later Life
She married her cousin Philip II of Spain on 12 November 1543 at Salamanca. As she was to be married to the Prince of Asturias, heir to the Spanish crown, and being and Infanta of Portugal their wedding became one of the most remarkable in the history of Spain due to its opulence. Contemporary writers have left detailed descriptions of the journey from Madrid to Badajoz to Salamanca to receive the princess and of the luxuries she was given by the Duke of Medina Sidonia in Badajoz.
She gave birth to their son Carlos on 8 July 1545 in Valladolid, but died four days later due to a haemorrhage. She was initially buried in the Royal Chapel of Granada on 30 March 1549 but was later transferred to Royal Crypt of the Monastery of El Escorial.