Born: 10 October 1830, Spain
Died: 9 April 1904
Country most active: Spain
Also known as: La de los Tristes Destinos (“She of the Sad Destinies”)
Queen of Spain from 1833 until 1868.
Shortly before Isabella’s birth, her father Ferdinand VII issued a Pragmatic Sanction to ensure the succession of his firstborn. Isabella came became queen a month before her third birthday, but her succession was disputed by her uncle the Infante Carlos, whose refusal to recognize a female sovereign led to the Carlist Wars. Under the regency of her mother Queen María Cristina (1833–1840), Spain transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, adopting the Royal Statute of 1834 and Constitution of 1837.
Her reign was characterised by palace intrigues, back-stairs and antechamber influences, barracks conspiracies, and military pronouncements.
She came to be known as La de los Tristes Destinos (“She of the Sad Destinies”).
She was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1868, and officially abdicated in 1870. Her son, Alfonso XII, took the throne in 1874.