Name Maria de Grandparents Joao Cabral de Melo Neto | Died 1780 | |
Parents Ana Maria de Lorena, 1st Duchess of Abrantes, Rodrigo de Melo Great-grandparents Carmem Carneiro Leao, Luiz Antonio Cabral de Melo | ||
Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, Duchess of Abrantes (2 February 1713 – 1780) was the daughter of Dom Rodrigo de Mello (1688–1713), second child of Nuno Alvares Pereira de Mello, 1st Duke of Cadaval and of Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, Duchess of Abrantes.
Biography
On 22 December 1756, Maria Margarida married her uncle, Joaquim Francisco de Sa Almeida e Menezes, 2nd Marquis of Abrantes (her mother's younger brother), who died in 1756.
King Joseph I of Portugal elevated the Dowager Marchioness to the title and degree of Duchess of Abrantes vitalicio (by Royal Decree of 1757) upon her appointment as HM the Queen's Maid of Honour (Camareira-Mor (Portuguese)). This was the highest position in the Portuguese court for a lady, and one which her mother previously held.
In 20 February 1757, she married secondly Dom Joao da Bemposta, natural son of the Infante Francisco, and her husband was raised to the style and degree of Duke on 18 May 1757.
When her mother Duquesa Ana Maria died in 1765, Duquesa Maria Margarida succeeded to her hereditary titles as 4th Marchioness of Abrantes and 10th Countess of Penaguiao.
Maria Margarida had no issue from either marriage, and her hereditary titles devolved upon her 2nd cousin Pedro de Lancastre da Silveira de Castelo-Branco Sa e Menezes (1762–1828), 7th Count of Vila Nova de Portimao.