Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo

The eldest daughter of Carlo Emanuele dal Pozzo (1787-1864), Prince of Cisterna, and Countess Louise de Mérode-Westerloo (1819-1868), Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo spent her early childhood in Paris. She settled in Turin with her parents and sister in 1852, and as a young girl, learned to speak several languages correctly, including Spanish. She was also interested in subjects such as literature, algebra, economics and international law. 

After the death of her father and sister in 1864, Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo became the heir to the family estate. Three years later, on 30th May 1867, her marriage to Prince Amadeo of Savoy (1845-1890), Duke of Aosta and son of Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878), the first King of Italy, was celebrated in Turin. The couple had three children: Emanuele Filiberto (1869-1931), future Duke of Aosta; Vittorio Emmanuele (1870-1946), Count of Turin; and Luigi Amedeo (1873-1933), Duke of the Abruzzi, born in Madrid during his parents' reign in Spain. 
 

Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo became the Queen of Spain after the election of Amadeo I as King by the Cortes on 16th November 1870. The new Queen made her official entry into Madrid on 19th March 1871. Her life at court was complicated by the political instability prevalent in the country at the time. Settled at the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Queen was rejected by most Spanish noblewomen, who were loyal to the Bourbon dynasty. At this point, Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo concentrated her efforts on charity work. Thanks to her initiative, an asylum and a school for the children of laundresses, various hospices for poor children, and a boarding school for the children of cigarette-makers were founded. She also collaborated with Concepción Arenal to set up the “Sopa Económica” Association to distribute meat rations to the needy in Madrid. Fond of the arts, Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo sponsored artists such as the painters Vicente Palmaroli and Antonio Gisbert, and the sculptor Sabino Medina. She also founded the Civil Order of Maria Victoria, awarded, amongst others, to Clara Campoamor, Federico de Madrazo and José Casado del Alisal.

After the abdication of her husband on 11th February 1873, Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo settled in Turin with her family. The former Queen of Spain died of tuberculosis in San Remo on 8th July 1876. Her remains are buried in the Basilica of Superga in Turin.

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