Sophie Marie Dorothea Auguste Louise of Württemberg or Maria Fyodorovna ()(October 25, 1759 - November 5, 1828) the second wife of Tsar Paul I of Russia. She was born in Stettin to Friedrich II Eugen, Duke of Württemberg (January 21, 1732 - December 23, 1797) and his wife Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt (December 18, 1736 - March 9, 1798).
Her paternal grandparents were Karl Alexander, Duke of Württemberg (January 24, 1684 - March 12, 1737) and his wife Marie-Auguste of Thurn und Taxis. The former had become Reigning Duke of Württemberg in 1733 following his long service under Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor. His mostly Protestant subjects suspected him of contemplaiting their conversion to his own belief of Roman Catholicism. The later was daughter to Anselm Franz, Fürst of Thurn und Taxis.
Her maternal grandfather Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt (December 27, 1700 - March 4, 1771) was son to Philip William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt (1669 - 1711) and his wife Joanna Charlotte of Anhalt-Dessau (1682 - 1750). He was also grandson to Friedrich Wilhelm I of Brandenburg and his second wife Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (September 28, 1636 - August 6, 1689).
Her maternal grandmother was Princess Sophie Dorothee Marie of Prussia (January 25, 1719 - November 13, 1765). She was daughter of Frederick William I of Prussia and his wife Princess Sophia Dorothea of Great Britain. The later was herself daughter to George I of Great Britain and his Queen consort Sophia of Celle.
She married Paul on October 7, 1776. Their marriage resulted in the birth of ten children:
- Alexander I of Russia
- Grand Duke Constantine of Russia
- Grand Duchess Alexandra of Russia (August 9, 1783 - March 16, 1801). On October 30, 1799 she married Joseph Anton, Archduke of Austria, a son of Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor.
- Grand Duchess Elena of Russia (December 24, 1784 - September 24, 1803). On October 23, 1799 she married Frederick Ludvig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin , a son of Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Their son became Paul Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
- Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia
- Grand Duchess Catherine of Russia (May 21, 1788 - January 19, 1831). She was Queen Consort to King William I of Württemberg.
- Grand Duchess Olga of Russia (July 22, 1792 - January 26, 1795).
- Grand Duchess Anna of Russia
- Nicholas I of Russia
- Grand Duke Michael of Russia
She became Empress dowager on March 23, 1801 with the assassination of her husband. She died in Pavlovsk at the age of 69, having survived several of her children.
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Last updated: 08-02-2005 01:01:50
