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La dauphine Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain

Marie Thérèse d'Espagne.

Maria Teresa Antonia Rafaela of Spain (June 11, 1726 - July 22, 1746), was an infanta of Spain and, by her marriage to Louis-Ferdinand, Dauphin of France, was Dauphine of France.

She was a daughter of King Philip V of Spain, and Elisabeth of Parma. Prior to the marriage, the Spanish and French royal courts had been on poor terms: the Spanish had been greatly insulted by the French, when the engagement between Louis XV and Infanta Mariana Victoria, elder sister of Maria Teresa, had been rudely broken off in 1725 (Louis had instead married Maria Leszczyńska, and by her fathered Louis-Ferdinand). The marriage was thus partially intended to heal the divisions between the two branches of the Bourbon family. Accordingly, on February 23, 1745, Maria married Louis-Ferdinand.

The marriage began badly, when the Dauphin failed to consummate the marriage. This was a major embarrassment to Maria that undermined her position at the court. She received some flattering descriptions, being noted as beautiful and dignified. But others made negative remarks about her pronounced red hair. Very shy and distant and not interested in games, Maria preferred to remain most of the time in her apartments.

Finally the marriage was consummated in September 1745, putting an end to all gossips and insinuations. The couple became very close and mutually devoted, spending most of their time together. This was in strong contrast to the King, who had recently begun his famous affair with Madame de Pompadour, who was deeply hated by the Dauphin and Dauphine. Maria was also hostile to the King himself for not participating in Holy Communion and ignoring her.

Maria eventually became pregnant, being due to deliver in the beginning of July 1746. But the child, a girl, was not born until July 19, which exasperated the impatient Dauphin. This daughter, named Marie-Thérèse, died in April 1748. Her mother failed to recover from the childbirth and died 3 days later on July 22. Her death caused intense sorrow to the Dauphin, which persisted even after his second marriage.