The Maria Magdalena Barbara reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Maria Magdalena Barbara

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 promess to God - if a heir to the throne was born, he will made a great Convent to thank Him. Finnaly, in the December 4th 1711, Mary Anne gave birth to a girl, and then to other five boys. The King kept his promess 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 to a spanish princess, Marianne Victoria of Borbón (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 in him. They had no children.

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

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