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Pedro II of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, 2 Dec 1825 – Paris, 5 Dec 1891

15 facts3 sources

Animated by AI

About Pedro II

Pedro II: a life within the Brazilian Empire

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Pedro II’s birth in Rio de Janeiro on 2 December 1825. His parents were Pedro I of Brazil and Maria Leopoldina of Austria, linking his life to the preceding imperial generation. 123

His title as Emperor of Brazil spans 1831 to 1889 in the collection. Within that long reign, two distinct milestones appear: the declaration of his majority in 1840 and his coronation in 1841. The dates distinguish the beginning of his reign from the later ceremony. 456

A recorded union connects Pedro II to Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies. The collection links the end of his reign to the proclamation of the Republic in 1889 and records his death in Paris on 5 December 1891. These records bring together the family relationship, the imperial office and the closing dates of his life. 789

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born2 Dec 1825, Rio de Janeironot verified1 source
  • MarriedTeresa Cristina of the Two Siciliesnot verified1 source
  • TitleEmperor of Brazil, 1831–1889not verified1 source
  • EventIndependence of Brazil, 1822or abdication of Peter I of Brazil, 1831 · Declaration of age of Pedro II, 1840 · coronation of Pedro II of Brazil, 1841 · Proclamation of the Republic, 1889not verified1 source
  • EventAbdication of Peter I of Brazil, 1831or Independence of Brazil, 1822 · Declaration of age of Pedro II, 1840 · coronation of Pedro II of Brazil, 1841 · Proclamation of the Republic, 1889not verified1 source
  • EventDeclaration of age of Pedro II, 1840or abdication of Peter I of Brazil, 1831 · Independence of Brazil, 1822 · coronation of Pedro II of Brazil, 1841 · Proclamation of the Republic, 1889not verified1 source
  • EventCoronation of Pedro II of Brazil, 1841or abdication of Peter I of Brazil, 1831 · Independence of Brazil, 1822 · Declaration of age of Pedro II, 1840 · Proclamation of the Republic, 1889not verified1 source
  • EventProclamation of the Republic, 1889or abdication of Peter I of Brazil, 1831 · Independence of Brazil, 1822 · Declaration of age of Pedro II, 1840 · coronation of Pedro II of Brazil, 1841not verified1 source
  • Died5 Dec 1891, Parisnot verified1 source
  • FatherPedro I of Brazilnot verified1 source
  • MotherMaria Leopoldina of Austrianot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 2 Dec 1825

    Born in Rio de Janeiro

  2. 1831

    Abdication of Peter I of Brazil

  3. 1831–1889

    Emperor of Brazil

  4. 1840

    Declaration of age of Pedro II

  5. 1841

    Coronation of Pedro II of Brazil

  6. 1845–1848

    4 children are born

  7. 1889

    Proclamation of the Republic

  8. 5 Dec 1891

    Dies in Paris, aged 66

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 4

During his lifetime

He lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Rio de Janeiro.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1820s · Pedro II is born in Rio de Janeiro

Who governed

What people wore

Everyday clothing for children and workers

Children often went completely naked in their early years, while enslaved women working in fields or as laborers frequently wore only a simple shirt. In some urban settings, young girls began wearing skirts around age 6 to 11, with differences in style reflecting social status.

Daily life

Lack of water and sewage infrastructure

Running water and sewage systems were non-existent, so enslaved people transported water from public fountains or rivers in buckets and removed waste using barrels known as tigres. Bathing often occurred in small basins or tubs, sometimes using tin sheets.

In the news1824

Arrival of German Immigrants

The first group of German immigrants arrived in Rio de Janeiro on a Dutch ship, marking the beginning of organized European migration in this period. These immigrants were part of efforts to settle and develop different regions of the country.

Music

Music in religious festivals

Religious festivals often featured processions with choirs, orchestras, and traditional groups like congados, which were pantomimic folk dances of African origin.

At the table

Pork as the primary protein source

Pork was the most consumed protein across all social classes, and butchers in Rio de Janeiro were supplied twice daily, early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

In South America1810–1825

Spanish America wins independence

From Mexico to Argentina, led by Bolívar, San Martín and others, Spain’s colonies broke away and became a dozen republics.

Getting around

Mule trains transported goods over months

Mule trains were the primary method for transporting goods between towns, with a trip between São Paulo and Vila Boa taking four months for the round trip.