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Princess Leopoldina of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, 13 Jul 1847 – Vienna, 7 Feb 1871

9 facts3 sources

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Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 13 Jul 1847

    Born in Rio de Janeiro

  2. 1866–1870

    4 children are born

  3. 7 Feb 1871

    Dies in Vienna, aged 23

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 4

During her lifetime

She lived through 4 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 1840s · Princess is born in Rio de Janeiro

Who governed

In Europe1845–1852

The Great Famine in Ireland

Potato blight ruined harvests: a million Irish people died and a million more emigrated, many to America.

Getting around

Cadeirinhas used for short city trips

For short distances, affluent families frequently used a small, enclosed litter called a cadeirinha, carried by enslaved people in liveries.

In the news1843

Introduction of Postage Stamps

The imperial government introduced the use of postage stamps, starting with the Olho-de-Boi series. This modernization made the sending of letters and communication across the vast territory more structured.

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

Eating Without Cutlery

Meals were often eaten without cutlery, using hands to shape manioc flour into balls, known as pirão, which were dipped into broth and meat.

In the news1848

Abolition of serfdom in 1848

The law for the final abolition of serfdom was passed on September 7, 1848, ending a feudal system that had existed for over 1,000 years.

Music

Popular dances and unique instruments

The jongo was a powerful dance performed by enslaved people in circles with rhythmic footwork, while the caquinhos, an unconventional instrument made of ceramic shards or metal, accompanied lundus and other songs.