Barbara of Portugal
Born: 1711
Father: Joao V of Portugal
Mother: Maria Anna of Austria, daughter of Leopold I
Husband: Ferdinand VI
Married: 1729
Age: 18
Children: No
Died: 1758
Age: 47
Barbara of Braganza, Princess of Portugal and Queen of Spain. She was the eldest daughter of King John V of Portugal and his wife, Mary Anne Josepha of Austria. Her parents were married in 1708, but for almost three years the queen didn't give birth to any children. So, John made a promise to God - if an heir to the throne was born, he would made a great convent to thank Him. Finally, on December 4, 1711, Mary Anne gave birth to a girl, and then to five boys. The King kept his promise and the Convent of Mafra was built.

 
The Princess was baptized Mary Madeleine Josepha Theresa Barbara of Braganza, but she was usually known as Princess Barbara. She had a fine education and she mostly loved music. She was a student and patron of Domenico Scarlatti, the famous harpsichordist and composer.

In 1729, she married the future Ferdinand VI of Spain, and her brother Joseph married a Spanish princess, Marianne Victoria of Borb�n (Ferdinand's sister). Scarlatti followed her to Madrid on her marriage, and remained with her, composing hundreds of harpsichord sonatas for her.

Although Barbara wasn't exactly beautiful, her husband loved her very much and she had a great influence on him. They had no children.

Barbara died in Arajnuez, Spain, on 27 August 1758.

Source: http://www.informationblast.com/Maria_Magdalena_Barbara.html
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