Thursday, January 31, 2013

The death of Princess Maria Luisa


January 31, 1899

Sad news from Bulgaria.  The New York Times is reporting that Princess Maria Luisa, the wife of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, died earlier today from pneumonia.  She was 29-years-old.

She gave birth to a daughter last night.

The Princess was already near death last evening, but the Bulgarian people were not informed until after she died.  Princess Maria Luisa was conscious this morning, and "bade farewell" to her young children.

Her husband, Prince Ferdinand,  was at her side throughout the day.

Princess Maria Luisa was the eldest daughter of Duke Roberto I of Parma.  She was born on January 17, 1870.  She married Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria on April 20, 1893.   Ferdinand is the youngest son of Prince August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Princess Clementine, daughter of King Louis Philippe of France.

She is survived by her husband and four children: Crown Prince Boris, who celebrated his 5th birthday yesterday; Kyril, 4;  Princess Eudoxia, 1, and the newborn daughter.

Princess Maria Luisa was a devout Roman Catholic.  She did not approve of her husband's decision to have Crown Prince Boris re-baptized in the Orthodox faith.  She threatened to leave the country to show her displeasure for Ferdinand's actions.  Prince Kyril and Princess Eudoxia were baptized Roman Catholic. 

No comments: