# Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia

> Grand Duchess of Russia (1899–1918); third daughter of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse)

**Wikidata**: [Q155422](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155422)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Maria_Nikolaevna_of_Russia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/grand-duchess-maria-nikolaevna-of-russia

## Summary
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia was a member of the Russian imperial family, the third daughter and fourth child of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Born in 1899, she held the title of Grand Duchess of Russia until her death in 1918 during the Russian Revolution. As part of the Romanov dynasty, her life and tragic end are emblematic of the empire's collapse.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 26, 1899
- **Nationality:** Russian Empire
- **Known for:** Being a member of the Romanov dynasty and part of the OTMA sisterhood
- **Employer(s)/Affiliations:** Russian imperial family
- **Field(s):** Nobility, royalty

## Contributions
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia's primary contribution lies in her role as a member of the Romanov family, reflecting the lives of the imperial children in pre-revolutionary Russia. She was part of the OTMA sisterhood, an acronym formed with her sisters Olga, Tatiana, and Anastasia, symbolizing their close bond and shared experiences within the royal household.

## FAQs
**What was Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia's role in the Russian Empire?**  
She was a member of the imperial family, holding the title of Grand Duchess, and part of the OTMA sisterhood with her siblings.

**How did Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia die?**  
She was executed alongside her family during the Russian Revolution in 1918, though specific details of her death are not provided in the source material.

**What is the significance of OTMA in relation to Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna?**  
OTMA was an acronym used by the four daughters of Nicholas II and Alexandra Feodorovna, representing their unity and shared identity within the royal family.

## Why They Matter
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia matters as a symbol of the Romanov dynasty's fate and the abrupt end of the Russian Empire. Her life, along with her family's execution, marked the culmination of revolutionary upheaval, influencing historical narratives and public memory of the imperial era.

## Notable For
- Member of the Romanov dynasty
- Part of the OTMA sisterhood
- Held the title of Grand Duchess of Russia
- Tragic death during the Russian Revolution in 1918

## Body
### Early Life and Family
Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia was born on June 26, 1899, as the third daughter of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. She was affectionately known by nicknames such as "Masha" and "Mashka" within her family. As part of the OTMA sisterhood (Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia), she shared a close bond with her sisters, reflecting the dynamics of the imperial children's lives.

### Title and Status
Maria held the title of Grand Duchess of Russia, a hereditary rank within the Romanov dynasty. Her position within the nobility was marked by the privileges and responsibilities associated with the Russian imperial family.

### Historical Context and Death
Her life was deeply intertwined with the fate of the Russian Empire, which dissolved in 1917 following the February and October Revolutions. As a member of the Romanov family, Maria faced persecution during the revolutionary period. She, along with her family, was executed in 1918, symbolizing the violent end of the imperial era and the rise of the Soviet Union.

### Legacy
Maria's legacy is tied to the broader narrative of the Romanov dynasty's downfall. Her story, along with that of her sisters and parents, has been the subject of historical inquiry and public fascination, representing the human cost of political upheaval and the abrupt transition from imperial rule to socialist governance.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Source
3. general catalog of BnF
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna, Chapter 16: The Empress and her Family](http://www.alexanderpalace.org/2006alix/chapter_XVI.html)
6. Find a Grave
7. The Peerage
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Rodovid
10. [Anna Vyrubova - Memories of the Russian Court: The Imperial Children](http://www.alexanderpalace.org/russiancourt2006/vi.html)
11. Sejm-Wielki.pl