João VI (1767-1826) - Find a Grave Memorial

King of Portugal 1816-1826. João was born in Lisbon 1767 and received the title of prince of Brazil in 1788. His parents were queen Maria I Francisca and king consort Pedro III of Portugal. In 1792 he assumed the reign of government in the name of his mother, who had declined into a mental illness (perhaps due to porphyria). He had been brought up in an ecclesiastical atmosphere and, being naturally of a somewhat weak and helpless character, he was ill adapted for the responsibilities he was thus called upon to undertake. In 1799 he asumed the title of regent, which he retained until his mother's death in 1816. In 1807 Portugal was invaded by the French, and the entire royal family fled to Brazil on British ships. In 1816 he was recognized as king of Portugal but he continued to reside in Brazil, which he had raised to the status of a kingdom on December 16m 1815. The consequent spread of dissatisfaction resulted in the peaceful of August 24, 1820, and the proclamation of a constitutional government, to which he swore fidelity on his return to Portugal in 1822. That same year, and again in 1823, he had to suppress a rebellion led by his son Dom Miguel, whom he ultimately was compelled to banish in 1824. Meanwhile his elder son Dom Pedro declared Brazilian independence from São Paulo on September 7, 1822. He subsequently declared himself Emperor of Brazil as Pedro I. João VI refused to assent to this devolution until August 29, 1825, when he restored Pedro to the succession in the belief that Brazil and Portugal would be reunited in a dual monarchy federation after his own death. He died in Lisbon on March 10, 1826, and was succeeded by Dom Pedro as king Pedro IV. He was married to the Spanish princess, Infanta Carlota Joaquina, the daughter of king Carlos IV of Spain.

Bio by: Benny Chordt Hansen