Background
Maria Anna Josepha was born at the Nymphenburg Palace in 1734.
Maria Anna Josepha was born at the Nymphenburg Palace in 1734.
She was nicknamed the savior of Bavaria. She is also known as Maria Josepha and is sometimes styled as a princess of Bavaria. She was baptised with the names Maria Anna Josepha Augusta.
The couple were married at the Schloss Ettlingen in Baden on 20 July 1755.
The bride was aged 20, the groom 53. Her husband had been married previously to Maria Anna of Schwarzenberg by whom he had four children but only one survived infancy.
Maria Anna was the only daughter of Prince Adam Franz Karl of Schwarzenberg and Eleonora of Lobkowicz. Maria Anna developed a great passion for diplomacy.
As a widow, Maria Anna Josepha returned to her native Bavaria where she died at the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich.
She was buried at the Theatine Church, Munich, traditional burial place of Bavarian royalty. Titles and styles
7 August 1734 – 20 July 1755 Her Serene Highness Maria Anna Josepha, Princess of Bavaria, Duchess of Bavaria
20 July 1755 – 22 October 1761 Her Serene Highness The Margravine of Baden-Baden
22 October 1761 – 7 May 1776 Her Serene Highness The Dowager Margravine of Baden-Baden.
A member of the House of Wittelsbach, rulers of the Electorate of Bavaria, she was styled a Duchess of Bavaria.