AgustÃn Fernando Muñoz, 1st Duke of Riánsares
Agustín Fernando Muñoz y Sánchez, Duke of Riansares ( born May 4, 1808 in Tarancón, Cuenca province, † September 11, 1873 in Sainte-Adresse ) was the morganatic husband of Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies, Queen and Regent of Spain.
Muñoz was born on May 4, 1808, the son of a tobacco shop owner in Tarancón and joined the Life Guards, where he attracted the attention of the Queen. Soon after the death of King Ferdinand VII on September 29, 1833, she married him on 28 December 1833 in a secret ceremony. A public marriage she would have let her reign, based on the guardianship of her daughter Isabella, lose. Agustín Muñoz ' marriage with her but was publicly known.
1840, the situation became untenable, and the pair went to France and Rome into exile. After the fall of Baldomero Espartero - who had exercised the regency since 1841 - in 1843, Muñoz and Maria Christina returned to Spain.
1844 was the year now for full Isabella II declared her consent to the marriage. Muñoz was appointed Duke of Riansares and Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Later, the appointment would come to the Marqués de San Agustín. Louis Philippe of France appointed him as the Duke of Montmorot and awarded him the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
In 1854 he and Maria Christina had to leave Spain for good. He died on 11 September 1873 in Sainte-Adresse near Le Havre.
His grave is in the cemetery Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Riansares in Tarancón.
From this marriage the following children were born:
- María Amparo Muñoz, Countess of Vista Alegre (1834-1864)
- María de los Milagros Muñoz, Marquesa de Castillejo (1835-1903)
- Agustín Muñoz, Duke of Tarancón (1837-1855)
- Fernando Muñoz, Duke of Riansares Tarancón (1838-1910)
- María Cristina Muñoz, Marquesa de Isabela (1840-1921)
- Juan Muñoz, Count of Recuerdo (1844-1863)
- José Muñoz, Count García (1846-1863)