Background
Maria Luisa was born at the Palace of Caserta. Her father died when she was only four years old and she was raised primarily by her mother.
Maria Luisa was born at the Palace of Caserta. Her father died when she was only four years old and she was raised primarily by her mother.
She was known for her piety and for her charity to the poor. She was baptised with the names Maria Luisa Immacolata. Her godmother was Princess Maria Luisa Carlota of Parma.
In 1860, when Maria Luisa was five, her half-brother King Francis II of the Two Sicilies was defeated by the Expedition of the Thousand.
She and her family fled to Rome where they resided briefly at the Quirinal Palace at the invitation of the Pope Pius IX. Her mother rented the Palazzo Nipoti in Rome, and it was there that she lived for the next seven years. Even as a child Maria Luisa was known for her piety.
She was particularly devoted to her namesake patrons, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. In the summer of 1867 Maria Luisa and her family were vacationing at Albano Laziale when cholera broke out.
She was taught Italian, French, and German.
She became a competent artist in both oil and watercolour. In October 1867 Rome was attacked by the forces of Giuseppe Garibaldi. In 1870 Rome was again attacked by the armies of the King of Italy.
lieutenant was decided to take Maria Luisa to the town of Cauterets where there were sulphur baths.
On the way they stopped at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes where she was immersed in the water twice. Her physicians said that her case was hopeless, and at the end of July it was decided to move her to Pau.
She died there on 23 August, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Titles and styles 21 January 1855 – 25 November 1873: Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Two Sicilies 25 November 1873 – 23 February 1874: Her Royal Highness The Countess of Bardi.