Isabel Cristina Leopoldina Augusta Micaela

Isabel was the eldest daughter of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil and Empress Teresa Cristina. She was born in 1846 in Rio de Janeiro and was baptized with the honorific title of Dona. She had two brothers who died in infancy, making her the heiress presumptive to the Brazilian throne. She was educated by tutors and learned several languages, history, geography, music, and arts. She also developed a strong Catholic faith and a sense of duty to her country. In 1864, she married a French prince, Gaston, Count of Eu, in an arranged marriage. They had three sons, Pedro, Luís, and Antônio, who were also in the line of succession. Isabel and Gaston had a harmonious relationship and shared common interests in culture, science, and philanthropy. They lived in a palace in Petrópolis, where they hosted many social and artistic events. Isabel acted as regent of the Empire of Brazil three times, when her father traveled abroad. She proved to be a capable and popular ruler, who supported reforms in education, agriculture, transportation, and public health. She also promoted the abolition of slavery, which was still a widespread institution in Brazil. In 1871, she signed the Free Womb Law, which granted freedom to all children born to slave mothers. In 1885, she signed the Sexagenarian Law, which freed all slaves over 60 years old. Finally, in 1888, she signed the Golden Law, which abolished slavery in Brazil without any compensation to the slave owners. This law earned her the nickname of "the Redemptress" and the gratitude of the former slaves, but also the resentment of the powerful planters and the military. In 1889, a military coup d'état overthrew the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic of Brazil. Isabel and her family were exiled to France, where they lived in the Château d'Eu. Isabel never renounced her rights to the throne, and was recognized as the head of the Imperial House of Brazil by the monarchist movement. She hoped to return to Brazil one day, but she died in 1921 from pneumonia. Her remains were repatriated to Brazil in 1953 and buried in the Cathedral of Petrópolis. She is regarded as one of the most influential and beloved figures in Brazilian history.