Duchess Marie Of Württemberg

Marie of Württemberg (full name: Antoinette Friederike Auguste Marie Anna Herzogin von Württemberg) was born on 17 September 1799 and died on 24 September 1860. She was the daughter of Duke Alexander of Württemberg and Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father was a general in the Russian army and later served as governor of Belarus. Marie was raised at Schloss Fantaisie in Bayreuth. From 1802 to 1832, she lived in Jelgava (present-day Latvia) and in a palace in Saint Petersburg, reflecting her father's military service and positions.

She married Duke Ernest I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on 23 December 1832 in Coburg. At the time of marriage, Ernest was 48 years old, and Marie was 33. Ernest's first wife, Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, had died, and he sought a new wife. Marie was his niece, the daughter of his sister, Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. This marriage made her the stepmother to Ernest's children, including Ernest II and Prince Albert, the latter becoming the consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

Marie and Ernest's relationship was reportedly strained, and they had no children together. Marie adopted a child of humble origins, with some caution advised by Prince Albert regarding aspirations for social rank. Despite this, she maintained a respectful relationship with her stepsons. Prince Albert referred to her as "dear mama" in correspondence. Marie was present at various events in her stepsons' lives but refused to attend some significant occasions such as their confirmation and Queen Victoria's coronation, citing reasons like inclement weather.

Marie had interests in literature, music, theatre, and art. The Landestheater Coburg was inaugurated on her 41st birthday. She frequently hosted Franz Liszt, starting in 1842. In 1836, she managed the Gothaer Marien-Institut, a private school for girls. She also contributed financially to social initiatives, including a refuge for children in Coburg established with her donation of 2,000 thalers in 1842, which grew into the Marienschulstiftung, an educational foundation that has continued to operate, including a kindergarten and a child care center.

Her husband, Ernest I, died in 1844. Following his death, Marie chose to reside at Schloss Reinhardsbrunn, Schloss Friedrichsthal, and Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha. She returned primarily to Coburg later in her widowhood, partly to visit her relatives from England. Marie died at Schloss Friedenstein on 24 September 1860 and was buried in the ducal mausoleum at the Friedhof am Glockenberg in Coburg.