Background
She was born in Munich, Bavaria, the tenth and youngest child of William V, Duke of Bavaria and Renata of Lorraine.
She was born in Munich, Bavaria, the tenth and youngest child of William V, Duke of Bavaria and Renata of Lorraine.
In 1607 Archduke Matthias of Austria asked the hand of Magdalene in marriage. Shortly after, Archduke Leopold V showed interest in Magdalene. In May 1609 Leopold V visited Munich and agreed to renounce his ecclesiastical positions in order to marry Magdalene.
During this visit, she developed feelings for her suitor and stated that "for Matthias she didn"t have any feelings of affection" and would prefer to became a nun rather than marrying him.
The wedding ceremony was performed by the Prince-bishop of Eichstätt, Johann Christoph von Westerstetten, in the Frauenkirche. The subsequent marriage ceremonies were very complex, in the presence of 17 sovereign princes.
Three days later (14 November), Magdalene renounced for herself and her descendants to any successions rights over Bavaria. Magdalene set up a Catholic chapel at Neuburg Castle with two Jesuits who accompanied her.
On one occasion, during a religious service, a guest shot through an open window where Magdalene was.
Foreign the Counter-Reformation this was significant success justified to Magdalene and her commitment to her brother"s policy. The marriage between Magdalene and Wolfgang Wilhelm, despite all the problems, was a very happy one. Magdalene died unexpectedly in Neuburg an der Donau aged 41.