Ferdinand II of Portugal

King of Portugal (1816–1885)

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Lived 1816–1885, aged 69Austria

Austria Historical Figures

Wikipedia
45 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1816–1885
Aged 69
Awards
11
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

A German prince who became Portugal's "King-artist" — not through conquest but marriage, holding the throne only as long as his wife lived, then serving as regent and royal father while his sons reigned.

Biography

About

Born Ferdinand August Franz Anton Koháry von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha on 29 October 1816, he married Queen Maria II of Portugal and under Portuguese law became king only after their first son, Prince Pedro, arrived in 1837. He co-ruled with Maria II until her death on 15 November 1853, at which point his kingship technically ended — though he kept the title and served as regent for their son Pedro V until 1855. He lived three decades longer, dying 15 December 1885, a king-father watching his sons Pedro V and then Luís I take the throne he'd once shared.

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