The Spanish press has recently carried reports about a Spanish man, about forty-seven years-old, who is trying to find his paternal roots. The gentleman, who is unnamed, was born in the 1970s to an unwed mother. The mother allegedly worked as a maid in the household of the man's father, who passed away about two decades ago. After becoming pregnant, the mother was fired from her place of employment.
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Almudena Cathedral in Madrid may hold the answer. |
Only one individual appears to meet the criteria for being this man's father...although, anything is possible, naturally.
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The marriage of Infante José Eugenio of Spain, Prince of Bavaria, and doña Marisol Mesia y de Lesseps (1933). |
This individual would be don Fernando Juan Luís José Maria Santiago y Todos los Santos de Baviera y Mesia, who was born at San Remo, Italy, on 3 April 1937 as the first son and second child of Infante José Eugenio of Spain, Prince of Bavaria (1909-1966), and his wife doña Marisol Mesia y de Lesseps (1911-2005). Fernando's paternal grandparents were Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria (1884-1958) and Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain (1882-1912); Fernando's maternal grandparents were Don Fernando Mesia y FitzJames-Stuart, Conde de Mora, Duque de Tamames, and Marie Solange de Lesseps (1887-1943), who was herself the daughter of vicomte Ferdinand de Lesseps, the developer of the Suez Canal. Fernando de Baviera y Mesia was a great-grandson of King Alfonso XII of Spain (1857-1885) and his second wife Queen Maria Cristina(1858-1929; née Archduchess of Austria).
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Don Fernando de Baviera y Mesia |
On 14 May 1966, Fernando de Baviera y Mesia married Sofia de Arquer y Aris (1941-2005) at Biarritz, France. The couple had one daughter, doña Cristina de Baviera y Arquer, who was born at Geneva on 7 February 1974.
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The death notice of don Fernando de Baviera y Media, Borbon y Lesseps, Principe de Baviera (1999). |
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The resting place of don Fernando de Baviera y Mesia and doña Sofia Arquer y Aris at La Almudena. Photograph (c) ABC / Ernesto Agudo |
Aged sixty-one, Don Fernando de Baviera y Mesia died at Madrid on 15 March 1999. His burial was privately held at La Almudena Cathedral, and his funeral took place on 8 April 1999. He was survived by his widow doña Sofía, his daughter doña Cristina, his mother doña Marisol, and his sisters, doña Cristina and doña Teresa.
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