Maria Ana Francisca of Portugal

Maria Ana Francisca Josefa Rita Joana was born in Lisbon, on 7 October 1736. She was the second child of King José and his wife, Queen Mariana Victoria.

When she was young, she was considered as a possible bride to Louis, Dauphin of France, the son of Louis XV and Marie Leszczyńska of France. However, her mother refused to consent to the marriage. Maria Ana Francisca dedicated herself to painting and music and remained single for the rest of her life.

Maria Ana Francisca and her family escaped to Brazil, when Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the invasion of Portugal in 1807. She died in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 16 May 1813. She was 76 years old.

Her remains were moved to Convento do Desagravo do Santíssimo Sacramento, in Lisbon. This convent had been founded in 1294, but completely destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. 131 women residing in the convent died during the earthquake. In 1783, Maria Ana Francisca reopened the convent with the blessing of Queen Maria I.

Infanta Maria Ana Francisca's remains were moved again one last time, in 1901, when the last nun of the convent died. She now rests at the Royal Pantheon of the Braganza Dynasty.

Maria Ana Francisca of Portugal
Vieira Lusitano
(18th century)

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