Maria Margarida de Lorena, 2nd Duchess of Abrantes
Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena (2 February 1713 – 1780) was the daughter of Rodrigo de Melo (1688–1713), second child of Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 1st Duke of Cadaval, and of Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess of Abrantes.
In 22 December 1756, Maria Margarida married her uncle, Joaquim Francisco de Sá Almeida e Menezes, 2nd Marquis of Abrantes (her mother's younger brother), who died in 1756.
When she was already widow, King Joseph I of Portugal granted her the rank of Duchess of Abrantes (decree issued in 1757) because she became the queen's Chamberlady (in Portuguese Camareira-Môr), the highest palatine office for a lady, as well as her mother did.
In 20 February 1757, she remarried with D. João da Bemposta, Infante Francisco natural son, to whom it was granted (by a letter issued in 18 May 1757) the honours of Duke.
When her mother died (1765), Maria Margarida inherited her House, becoming 4th Marchioness of Abrantes and 10th Countess of Penaguião.
Maria Margarida had no issue from both marriages, and she was succeeded by her 2nd cousin Pedro de Lancastre da Silveira de Castelo-Branco Sá e Menezes (1762–1828), 7th Count of Vila Nova de Portimão.
| Portuguese nobility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess |
 Duke of Abrantes 1757–1780 |
Succeeded by Extinct |
| Preceded by Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 3rd Marchioness |
Marquis of Abrantes 1761–1780 |
Succeeded by Pedro de Lancastre da Silveira de Castelo-Branco Sá e Menezes, 5th Marquis |
| Preceded by Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 9th Countess |
Count of Penaguião 1761–1780 |
Succeeded by Pedro de Lancastre da Silveira de Castelo-Branco Sá e Menezes, 11th Count |
External links
Bibliography
”Nobreza de Portugal e do Brasil" – Vol. II, page 206. Published by Zairol Lda., Lisbon 1989.