House Wettin Religion Roman Catholicism | Name Princess Amalia | |
 | ||
Born 26 September 1757
Dresden ( 1757-09-26 ) Died 20 April 1831(1831-04-20) (aged 73)
Neuburg an der Donau Spouse Charles II August, Duke of Zweibrucken Father Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony Mother Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria | ||
Maria Amalia of Saxony (26 September 1757 – 20 April 1831) was a daughter of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and his wife Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria. She became the Duchess of Zweibrücken by her 1774 marriage to Charles II August, Duke of Zweibrücken.
Contents
Family
Maria Amalia was one of nine children born to Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony and Maria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria in Dresden. Among her siblings were Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, Anthony of Saxony, and Maximilian, Crown Prince of Saxony. Through her brother Maximilian, Maria Amalia was an aunt of Frederick Augustus II of Saxony and Maria Josepha Amalia, Queen of Spain.
As her parents were first cousins, Maria Amalia was also a double great granddaughter of Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor through her two grandmothers Maria Josepha of Austria and Maria Amalia of Austria (who were sisters).
Through her mother, Maria Amalia was a granddaughter of Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor.
Furthermore, she was a cousin of Louis XVI of France through her aunt Maria Josepha of Saxony.
Marriage
In Dresden, 1774, Maria Amalia married Charles of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld. His sister had already been married to Maria Amalia's brother Frederick since 1769. Charles succeeded as Duke of Zweibrücken in 1775. Previously, he had been bitterly rejected in 1768 as a husband for Maria Amalia of Austria by her mother Maria Theresa of Austria, who felt he was not suitable enough for her. Maria Amalia was thus Charles' second choice.
Maria Amalia and her husband had only one son, who died in childhood. Charles' brother Maximilian inherited his title upon Charles' death in 1795.
Death
Maria Amalia died on 20 April 1831 in Neuburg, outliving her husband by 36 years.