Amadeo I of Spain

Italian Royal and temporary Head of State of Spain (1845–1890)

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Lived 1845–1890, aged 45Italy

Italy Historical Figures

Wikipedia
60 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1845–1890
Aged 45
Awards
5
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-10

An Italian prince who spent three years trying to be King of Spain and quit. Elected by parliament in 1870 after the previous monarch was deposed, Amadeo I faced separatist war, royalist rebellion, and a country sliding toward republicanism — then walked away in 1873, triggering Spain's First Republic.

Biography

About

Amadeo was the second son of Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, born 30 May 1845, and spent most of his life as the Duke of Aosta. The Cortes Generales elected him Spain's monarch in 1870 following Isabel II's deposition, and he was sworn in the following year — the only Savoy ever to wear Spain's crown. His reign ran headlong into Carlist uprisings in the north, the Cuban independence movement, and rising republican sentiment. After three years he abdicated and returned to Italy, and Spain declared its First Republic in his wake. He died 18 January 1890, having founded the Aosta branch of the House…

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