Maria Manuela of Portugal

Maria Manuela was born in Coimbra, Portugal, on 15 October 1527. She was the second child of King João III and his wife, Catherine of Austria.

Maria Manuela married Philip, Prince of Asturias (the future Philip II of Spain and I of Portugal) at the age of 16, in 1543. This union added to the dynastic relations of both houses of Avis and Austria, which would result in the union of the crowns of Portugal and Spain in 1580.

Two years later, Maria Manuela was pregnant. She gave birth to Infante Carlos on 8 July 1545, her only child. The baby was born with problems due to the inbreeding of the family (he had only four great-grandparents instead of the usual eight!). The birth was very complicated and Maria died only four days later.

Maria Manuela's short life came to an end on 12 July 1545, at the age of 17.

Maria Manuela of Portugal
Antonis Mor
(16th century)

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