Isabel Maria of Portugal

Infanta Isabel Maria of Braganza (; Queluz, 4 July 1801 – Benfica, then Belém, 22 April 1876) was a Portuguese infanta (princess) and fourth daughter of King John VI of Portugal and Carlota Joaquina of Spain. She was a titular of the Great-Cross of the Order of Our Lady of Conception; Dame of the orders of Saint Isabel and of the Noble Dames of Mary Louise and awarded with the Starry Cross of Austria.

Regency Because Prince Pedro, who was heir to the throne, was already Emperor in Brazil, his brother Prince Miguel was exiled in Vienna, their mother Queen Carlota Joaquina was exiled in Queluz and Isabel's older sisters (Maria Teresa and Maria Francisca of Assisi) had married to Spanish infantes (princes), Isabel Maria was chosen to be Regent of the Kingdom until Pedro I of Brazil returned to claim the Portuguese throne as Pedro IV of Portugal. Pedro IV, however, immediately abdicated in favour of his daughter Maria da Glória (who became Maria II of Portugal), with the condition that she should marry her uncle Miguel. Pedro and Maria remained in Brazil and Isabel Maria continued as regent until 1828, when a civil war started between absolutists, supporting Miguel, and liberals, supporting Maria II (called the Liberal War) that would end with a liberal victory and defeat and consequent exile of Miguel.

Later life

Isabel Maria retired from politics and turned her life to religion. She died unmarried in Benfica (at the time not a neighbourhood of Lisbon but a near town in Belém municipality) on 22 April 1876. She was the last surviving child of John VI of Portugal and the last grandchild of Maria I of Portugal. She is buried in the Royal Pantheon of the House of Braganza.

Ancestry