# Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain

> Dauphine of France (1726-1746)

**Wikidata**: [Q232132](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232132)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Teresa_Rafaela_of_Spain)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maria-teresa-rafaela-of-spain

## Summary
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain was the Dauphine of France (1726–1746), serving as the wife of Louis XV. Born into the Spanish royal family, she was an Infanta of Spain and played a diplomatic role in European politics during her marriage. Her union with the French Dauphin strengthened ties between Spain and France, though her early death at 19 ended her political influence.

## Biography
- Born: June 11, 1726, Madrid, Spain
- Nationality: Spanish
- Education: [Not specified in source material]
- Known for: Diplomatic marriage between Spain and France (1745)
- Employer(s): House of Bourbon (Spain and France)
- Field(s): Diplomacy, royal family

## Contributions
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain's primary contribution was her marriage to Louis, the Dauphin of France, on February 23, 1745. This union, arranged to strengthen ties between Spain and France, was part of a broader European diplomatic strategy. Her role as Dauphine included representing both royal houses in international affairs, though her short life (she died on July 22, 1746) limited her active participation.

## FAQs
**What was Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain's role in European politics?**
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain served as the Dauphine of France (1726–1746), representing both the Spanish and French royal houses through her marriage to Louis XV. Her union was a diplomatic alliance between Spain and France, though her early death ended her political influence.

**Where was Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain born and educated?**
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain was born on June 11, 1726, in Madrid, Spain. No details about her education are provided in the source material.

**How did Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain influence Spanish-French relations?**
Her marriage to the Dauphin of France in 1745 strengthened diplomatic ties between Spain and France, though her death at 19 in 1746 prevented her from further shaping their relationship.

## Why They Matter
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain's marriage to the Dauphin of France in 1745 was a key diplomatic move that reinforced alliances between Spain and France. Her role as Dauphine, though brief, highlighted the strategic importance of royal marriages in European politics. Her early death left no lasting political legacy, but her union was a notable event in the diplomatic history of the House of Bourbon.

## Notable For
- First wife of Louis, the Dauphin of France (1745–1746)
- Diplomatic marriage between Spain and France
- Infanta of Spain from the House of Bourbon
- Short-lived political influence due to early death

## Body

### Early Life and Family
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain was born on June 11, 1726, in Madrid, Spain, as the daughter of King Philip V of Spain and his wife, Isabella Farnese. She was a member of the Spanish royal family, known as the House of Bourbon. Her full name was María Teresa Rafaela Antonia de Borbón y Farnesio, reflecting her dual Spanish and Italian heritage.

### Marriage and Political Role
On February 23, 1745, Maria Teresa Rafaela married Louis, the Dauphin of France, in a strategic union intended to strengthen ties between Spain and France. The marriage was part of a broader European diplomatic effort, though her short life (she died on July 22, 1746) limited her active role in politics.

### Legacy and Death
Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain died at the age of 19, leaving no lasting political legacy. Her marriage, however, was a significant event in the diplomatic history of the House of Bourbon, reinforcing alliances between Spain and France. Her early death ended any potential influence she might have had on European politics.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
As the Dauphine of France, Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain represented both the Spanish and French royal houses. Her union was a diplomatic achievement, though her brief life prevented her from shaping long-term political outcomes. Her story remains a notable chapter in the history of European royal marriages and diplomatic alliances.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Peerage
3. Source
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Spanish Biographical Dictionary
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. [Source](http://dbe.rah.es/biografias/16151/maria-teresa-de-borbon-y-farnesio)