Marie Adélaïde of Savoy (6 December 1685 – 12 February 1712) was born a Princess of Savoy and was the wife of Louis, Duke of Burgundy. She was the eldest daughter of Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy and of Anne Marie d'Orléans. She died of measles in 1712, followed by her husband a week later. She was the mother of Louis XV.
Early life and background
She was born in Turin in December 1685 the eldest daughter of Victor Amadeus II. Her mother was Anne Marie d'Orléans, a niece of Louis XIV, and the daughter of Philippe, Duke of Orléans and of Henrietta of England. Her birth nearly cost her sixteen-year-old mother her life. Marie Adélaïde enjoyed a close relationship with her grandmother.
Marriage
She was engaged to Louis, Duke of Burgundy, Dauphin of France whom she died not marry till 6 December 1697 despite living at Versailles for a year. She became known in France as Marie Adélaïde de Savoie. She was styled the Duchess of Burgundy till her husband became Dauphin in 1711 at the death of Louis, Grand Dauphin. The new Duchess of Burgundy had a close relationship with the king and with Madame de Maintenon. In early April 1711, her father-in-law Le Grand Dauphin caught smallpox and died in April. Upon the death of Le Grand Dauphin, Marie Adélaïde's husband became Dauphin of France and she Dauphine of France. The court went to Fontainebleau where Marie Adélaïde caught a fever which became in measles. She died of measles soon after. Her husband who mourned her greatly died six days later, having caught the measles from his wife. They were bother buried at the Basilica of Saint Denis. Her granddaughter Marie Adélaïde was named after her.
Children
- Louis of France, Duke of Brittany (25 June 1704 – 13 April 1705) died of convulsions;
- Louis of France, Duke of Brittany (8 January 1707 – 8 March 1712) died of measles;
- Louis XV of France (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774) first engaged to Mariana Victoria of Spain; married Marie Leszczyńska and had issue; died of smallpox.
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