Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg [-Güstrow] (26 February 1633 – 6 October 1695) was the last ruler of Mecklenburg-Güstrow from 1636 until his death and last Lutheran Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg from 1636 to 1648.
Gustav Adolph was born at the ducal residence in Güstrow, the son of Duke John Albert II and his third wife Marie Eleonore (1600–1657), daughter of Prince Christian I of Anhalt-Bernburg.
A minor upon his father's death in 1636, his uncle Duke Adolph Frederick I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin at first became regent at Güstrow, fiercely opposed by Gustav Adolph's mother. In 1654 he came of age and married Magdalene Sibylle, daughter of Duke Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp.
Their marriage produced eleven children; however, the only hereditary prince, Charles, died in 1688 at the age of 23. Gustav Adolph's daughter Marie married her cousin Adolphus Frederick II of Mecklenburg, who after the death of his father-in-law claimed the Güstrow heritage, but could not prevail against the ruling duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. A younger daughter, Louise in 1695 married the Danish crown prince Frederick IV and in 1699 became queen consort of Denmark.
Gustav Adolph died in Güstrow at the age of 62. The subsequent inheritance conflict within the House of Mecklenburg was settled by the establishment of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1701.
|
Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow
Cadet branch of the House of Mecklenburg
Born: 26 February 1633 Died: 6 October 1695 |
||
| German nobility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Religious titles | ||
| Preceded by Augustus |
Administrator of the Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg 1636–1648 |
prince-bishopric securalised as Principality of Ratzeburg |
| German nobility | ||
| Preceded by John Albert II |
Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow 1636–1695 |
Succeeded by Frederick William as Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin |