Maria Vittoria Carlotta Enrichetta Giovanna dal Pozzo, 6th Princess of Cisterna d'Asti and of Belriguardo (9 August 1847 – 8 November 1876), was an Italian noblewoman who was Queen of Spain from 16 November 1870 until 11 February 1873 as the wife of King Amadeo I. Maria Vittoria inherited her princely title after the death of her father.[1] In 1867, she married Amadeo, then Duke of Aosta, second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. In 1870, her husband became the king of Spain, making her queen consort. King Amadeo abdicated after a reign of less than three years, and he and Maria Vittoria returned to Italy. She died in Sanremo, Italy, in 1876.
Early life
She was the eldest and only surviving child of Carlo Emanuele dal Pozzo della Cisterna, 5th Prince of Cisterna d'Asti and of Belriguardo, and his wife, Countess Louise de Mérode-Westerloo.[1] Upon the death of her father in 1864, she inherited his noble titles and thus became the Princess of Cisterna d'Asti and of Belriguardo, Marquise of Voghera and Countess of Ponderano, among other titles, in her own right.
Her husband was elected to occupy the vacant Spanish throne on 16 November 1870. She lived a discreet life in Spain and only involved herself in charity. Amadeo resigned from his position on 11 February 1873, and he and Maria Vittoria returned to Italy. Her health was damaged by the trip and childbirth, and she died later that year of tuberculosis in Sanremo.[3]
^ abcde Badts de Cugnac, Chantal. Coutant de Saisseval, Guy. ‘’Le Petit Gotha’’. Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery, Paris 2002, p. 612 (French) ISBN2-9507974-3-1
