Sofia (1836-1913) - Find a Grave Memorial

Swedish Monarch. Legal 20th century spelling of name, also known as Sophia. She was an Orange-Nassau Dynasty princess and the daughter of Duke William of Nassau and Duchess Pauline, originally a Princess of Württemberg. In 1857 she married the future King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway at Biebrich Palace and as his consort became Duchess of East Gothland. She gave birth to 4 sons, the future King Gustaf V and the princes Oscar, Carl and Eugen. In 1872 her brother-in-law King Carl of Sweden and Norway died making her and Oscar King and Queen, and the following year, with her husband, she was the last queen of Sweden to be crowned. She was a strong person with religious interests who had chosen the stately Oscar to marry, once she saw him, of her own indomitable will. She was also a talented pianist, an avid reader, eventually a major consumer of detective stories. In 1877 she went through a large operation, which forced her to withdraw from public life for some time. The following year her husband's rumored infidelities nearly erupted in public scandal. Like all her predecessors, notably such as reigning Queen Ulrica Eleanor of Sweden, as well as Queens Josephine and Louise, Sofia stoically ignored such things, which were indiscretions according to public scrutiny and sensation, but until the 1960's considered insignificant to royal couples committed primarily to preserving their families. The queen concerned herself energetically with charity and health care and her lauded Sophia Home Hospital, staffed with especially trained nurses, is still in business in Stockholm (2016).

Bio by: Benny Chordt Hansen