Maria Anna of Bavaria, Queen of Saxony
A Bavarian princess who became the quiet, stabilizing force behind the Saxon throne during a period of political upheaval in 19th-century Germany.
1805–1877 (age 72)·Queen of Saxony from 1836 to 1854·Birthday: January 27
Biography
Born into the House of Wittelsbach, Maria Anna of Bavaria was destined for a strategic marriage, becoming the second wife of the future King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony in 1833. Her reign as Queen, beginning in 1836, unfolded against the backdrop of the Vormärz, the tense pre-revolutionary period in the German states. While not a public political figure, she was a constant presence, providing counsel and stability to her husband, who faced significant challenges including the Dresden Uprising of 1849. Her life was marked by personal piety and a deep commitment to charitable works, particularly in support of Catholic causes in a predominantly Protestant kingdom. After her husband's death in 1854, she lived a retired life, her influence remembered as one of dignified support rather than overt power, a pillar of the Saxon monarchy during its final decades.
#1 When Maria Was Born
The biggest hits of 1805
Maria's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1805Born
1810Started school
1818Became a teenager
1821Could drive
1823Could vote
1826Turned 21
1835Turned 30
1845Turned 40
1855Turned 50
1865Turned 60
President: Andrew Johnson
1875Turned 70
President: Ulysses S. Grant
1877Died at 72
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
Key Achievements
- Served as Queen Consort of Saxony for 18 years, from 1836 until the death of her husband in 1854.
- Provided crucial personal support to King Frederick Augustus II during the political turmoil of the 1848-49 revolutions.
- Was a noted patron of Catholic charities and religious institutions within the Kingdom of Saxony.
Did You Know?
She was the sister of two other queens: Sophie, who married Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria's father, and Elisabeth Ludovika, Queen of Prussia.
A skilled amateur artist, she created a series of watercolor paintings documenting her travels.
She is the great-great-grandmother of the current head of the Royal House of Saxony, Prince Alexander.
“A crown is a heavy jewel, and the throne a cold seat.”
