Bárbara of Braganza

The first-born daughter of King John V of Portugal (1689-1750) and his wife, the Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria (1683-1754), Bárbara of Braganza was educated at the court of Lisbon. During her childhood, she learned to speak six languages (Latin, French, Italian, German and Spanish, in addition to her native Portuguese) and received lessons from the renowned Neapolitan composer Domenico Scarlatti. 

In 1728, in order to bring about a new diplomatic and dynastic rapprochement between the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal, the double marriages of Bárbara of Braganza and Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias (1713-1759), and the Spanish Infanta Mariana Victoria (1718-1781) and the heir to the Portuguese throne, the future Joseph I (1714-1777), were arranged. The marriage of the Prince and Princess of Asturias was ratified in Badajoz on 19th January 1729. Prince Ferdinand and Bárbara of Braganza were a close couple, although they had no children. Becoming Queen of Spain after Ferdinand VI's accession to the throne on 9th July 1746, Bárbara of Braganza enjoyed considerable political influence during the reign of her husband, who consulted the Queen on affairs of state. In matters of government, the Queen was especially invested in the smooth running of diplomatic relations between Spain and Portugal, her native country.

A patron of music, arts and literature, Bárbara of Braganza sponsored the careers of the composer Domenico Scarlatti and the singer Carlo Broschi, known as Farinelli; she contributed to the consolidation of Italian opera at the Spanish court and financed the construction of the Church and Convent of the Royal Salesians in Madrid, the latter specialising in female education, another of the Queen's concerns.

Having suffered from asthma, Barbara of Braganza's health worsened in the last years of her life. The Queen died in the Palace of Aranjuez on 27th August 1758. After the death of his wife, Ferdinand VI retired to the Castle of Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid) where he lived until his death a year later. The remains of Bárbara of Braganza are buried in the Church of the Royal Salesians in Madrid. 

Source: Royal Academy of History (https://www.rah.es)