Duchess Helene in Bavaria

Helene Caroline Therese Duchess in Bavaria called Nene ( born April 4, 1834 in Munich, † May 16, 1890 in Regensburg ) was from the line of the Dukes of Bavaria of the Wittelsbach family and was by marriage, Hereditary Princess of Thurn and Taxis.

Life

Origin and marriage

Helene was the eldest daughter of Duke Max in Bavaria and Princess Ludovica of Bavaria.

1853 she traveled to the birthday of Emperor Franz Joseph with her ​​mother and her sister Elizabeth to Ischl, where it should be his bride, and thus Empress of Austria. But Franz Joseph chose her younger sister Elizabeth. Helene was regarded as particularly pious as well as unpunctual, they missed several times trains. After the failed marriage, their depressive mood increased constantly, and Duchess Ludovica started looking for a groom to look around because there was a danger that the beautiful daughter take the veil and could go into a convent.

Helene had almost resigned to remain single. At 22, she was regarded as an " old maid ", but she learned through the mediation of their mother's rich crown prince Maximilian Anton von Thurn und Taxis know. Duke Max in Bavaria, Helen's father, the family of Thurn and Taxis invited to Possenhofen a hunt. Hereditary Prince Maximilian was immediately impressed by Helene.

When the Prince left, he brought his marriage plans with the Bavarian princess before his parents, who were immediately agreed. King Maximilian of Bavaria as head of the Wittelsbach family was indeed a marriage for dynastic reasons not agree, because the Thurn and Taxis were not fully equal as sovereign lords the Wittelsbach; but by Empress Elisabeth's influence on the king 's wedding could take place anyway. The wedding took place in Possenhofen on 24 August 1858. From the in-laws, the bride was given on this occasion a necklace worth 160,000 guilders. Helene led the only happy marriage of Bavarian siblings while her younger sisters constantly excited by an extravagant private life attention.

Shortly after the birth of her second child in 1860 she traveled to her at that time seriously ill sister Elizabeth to Corfu. After their return, they reported in Vienna, Emperor Franz Joseph of the poor condition of his wife.

1862 she gave birth to the longed-for crown prince Maximilian Maria. 1867 was the second son Albert to the world. The happy marriage was overshadowed by the severe kidney disease her husband Maximilian. Neither a cure in Karlsbad even the best doctors could not save him. He died in 1867 at the age of only thirty-six years.

Widowhood

Helene drew off with charitable activities. From the Austrian Emperor had been transferred custody of her children, and her father, she started in the business affairs of the House of Thurn and Taxis inaugurate, when he saw a pillar and successor to her. Until the majority of her first son, she was the head of the family of Thurn and Taxis family.

1877 married her younger daughter Elizabeth to Prince Miguel of Braganza. However, after the birth of her first child (1878 ) Elizabeth's health deteriorated and she died in 1881. Upon the death of her daughter Helene withdrew from public life.

1883 took over the crown prince, Maximilian Maria, the management of the family business. But even the highly educated young man fell ill and suffered with almost 23 years of severe heart attacks. He died in 1885 of a pulmonary infarction. Again Helene was head of the family, until 1888, her second son, Albert, came of age and took over the management of the family business. Thereupon Helene withdrew completely in their faith.

1890 Helene became ill themselves hard in a abdomen suffering. She developed a fever and chills unexpectedly. Her son ( Albert) was the one who traveled all this and Elisabeth informed immediately. Her younger sister Elisabeth was also the last one has spoken yet with Nene. Elizabeth's daughter Archduchess Marie Valerie recorded the dialogue in her diary:

" 'We have had two hard puffs in our lives ,' Mama said. 'Yes but we had hearts ,' replied Aunt Nene. "

On May 16, 1890 Helene died in Bavaria, finally at the age of 56 years.

Helene's death chamber was later rebuilt by her son in a chapel where this was also married on 15 July 1890.

Progeny

Helene in Bavaria and Maximilian von Thurn und Taxis had four children:

  • Princess Louise of Thurn and Taxis (1859-1948) ∞ ( 1879) Prince Friedrich of Hohenzollern- Sigmaringen
  • Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis (1860-1881) ∞ ( 1877) Dom Miguel II of Braganza
  • Prince Maximilian Maria von Thurn und Taxis (1862-1885)
  • Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis (1867-1952) ∞ ( 1890) Archduchess Margarethe Clementine of Austria
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