Cayetana, Maria del Pilar Teresa (1762–1802)

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Cayetana, Maria del Pilar Teresa (1762–1802)

Duchess of Alba. Name variations: María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y Alvarez de Toledo, duquesa de Alba de Tormes; also duchess of Montoro. Born June 10, 1762, in Madrid, Spain; died July 23, 1802, in her palace in Madrid; dau. of Francisco de Paula de Silva (1733–1770), duke of Huescar, and Mariana de Silva Bazan y Sarmiento; granddau. of Fernando de Silva y Alvarez de Toledo (1714–1778), 12th duke of Alba, and Bernarda de Toledo Portugal y Fernandez de Cordoba.

The 13th duchess of Alba and one of the most influential women in the court of Charles IV of Spain, was famed for her relationship with Francisco de Goya and the subject of his painting "The Naked Maja"; also had a liaison with politicians Pignatelli and Manuel Godoy, as well as others; found suspiciously dead in her bed at age 40, causing Charles IV to call for an inquiry but nothing was learned; was succeeded by Fitz-James Stuart, duke of Berwick.

See also Women in World History.

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Cayetana, Maria del Pilar Teresa (1762–1802)

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