Charles III was born on 20 January 1716 in Madrid, the fifth son of the first Bourbon king of Spain, Philip V. His mother was Philip’s second wife, Elisabeth Farnese. She was a very powerful woman that it was often said that the king ruled Spain and the queen ruled the king.
Charles became King of Spain after the death of his half-brother Ferdinand VI. His reign is evaluated positively, there was a modernization of Spain, he also took care of the development of Madrid.
His wife Maria Amalia of Saxony died at the age of thirty-six. She bore him thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons. Charles III became close to Maria Theresa through them. His daughter Marie Ludovika became the wife of Leopold II. His son Ferdinand, who ruled Naples after him, married Maria Theresa’s daughter Maria Carolina. We must not forget his niece and nephews Isabella and Ferdinand of Parma, who could also call Maria Theresa their mother-in-law.
Charles III died on 14 December 1788.
Source: Pilar Ramas Vicent – Kings and Queens of Spain
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