Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo


Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo was an Italian noblewoman and became the 6th Princess of La Cisterna after the death of her father. Married to Prince Amadeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, second son of King Victor Emmanuel. In 1870 her husband became the King of Spain, making her Queen consort of Spain.

Early life

She was the eldest and only surviving child of Carlo Emmanuele dal Pozzo, 5th Prince of Cisterna and his wife, Countess Louise de Merode. Upon the death of her father in 1864, she inherited his noble titles and thus became the Princess della Cisterna, Princess di Belriguardo, Marchioness di Voghera and Countess di Ponderano, among other titles, in her own right.

Marriage

On 30 May 1867 in Turin, she married Prince Amadeo of Savoy, the Duke of Aosta and second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. An urban legend circulates claiming that numerous tragedies befell the wedding of Maria Vittoria and the Duke of Aosta.
Her husband was elected to occupy the Spanish Throne on 16 November 1870. She lived a discreet life in Spain, only involving herself in charity. Amadeo resigned from the position on 11 February 1873, after which he and Maria Vittoria returned to Italy. Her health was damaged by the trip and childbirth, and she died later the same year of tuberculosis in Sanremo.

Issue

  1. Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, Marshal of Italy, married to Princess Hélène of Orléans and had issue.
  2. Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Count of Turin, died unmarried.
  3. Prince Luigi Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of the Abruzzi, Vice Admiral in the Italian Royal Navy, died unmarried.

    Honours