Elias, Duke of Parma

Elias Robert Karl Maria Pius of Bourbon- Parma ( born July 23, 1880 in Biarritz, France, † June 27, 1959 in Friedberg, Austria ) was titular of Parma and Piacenza, Prince of Bourbon and head of the House of Bourbon -Parma.

Life

Elias was the fourth son of Robert I. (1848-1907), the last Duke of Parma, and his first wife, Princess Maria Pia of the Two Sicilies (1849-1882), the daughter of king Ferdinand II and the Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria.

Together with its total of twenty-one siblings, he grew up in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and England. Despite the loss of the throne of his father the family had considerable wealth, including real estate in Schwarzau ( Austria ) and the Villa Pianore (Italy ), as well as the Château de Chambord (France).

After his father's death in 1907 he left before an Austrian court six of his siblings from the first marriage of his father declared incompetent because they are mentally and physically disabled. He was supported by his stepmother, Infanta Maria Antonia of Portugal ( 1862-1959 ). He was thus legal guardian of his older siblings and the sole heir of the family fortune.

His younger half- brothers and Sixtus Franz Xaver sued him to get a bigger share of the ducal fortune. However, a French court in Paris rejected their claims.

Marriage and issue

On May 25, 1903 Elias married in Vienna Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria ( 1882-1940 ), a daughter of Archduke Frederick of Austria -Teschen ( 1856-1936 ) and his wife Princess Isabella of Croy - Dülmen (1856-1931 ). She was also a niece of the Spanish Queen Maria Christina of Austria ( 1858-1929 ). The marriage produced eight children were born:

• Elisabeth Anna Maria Pia Luisa (1904-1983)
• Karl Ludwig Friedrich Anton Maria Elias Robert (1905-1912)
• Maria Franziska Josepha Raniera Enrichetta Pia Luisa (1906-1994)
• Robert Rainer Ludwig Erich Alexis Deodato Elias Pio Maria (1909-1974), as titular of Parma Robert II
• Franz Ludwig Alfons Gabriel Pio Erich Robert Karl Maria Elias (1913-1939)
• Johanna Isabella Alfonsina Pia Luisa Maria (1916-1949)
• Alicia Maria Luisa Pia Teresa Francesca Anna Valeria ( * 1917 ) ∞ 1936 in Vienna, Prince Alfonso of Bourbon- Sicily ( 1901-1964 ), Duke of Calabria and Infante of Spain
• Maria Christina Albertina Enrichetta Pia Luisa Carlotta (1925-2009)