Princess Teresa of Orléans and Bragança, the last surviving sister-in-law of the Countess of Paris, has passed away. Born on January 11, 1929, in Uba, Minas Gerais, Teresa was a member of the Brazilian royal family through her marriage to Prince João of Orléans and Bragança. Her life was marked by a blend of glamour and tragedy, as she navigated the complexities of her royal heritage and personal relationships.
From her early years as a jet-set socialite to her later years as a devoted wife and mother, Princess Teresa’s life was a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Her marriage to Prince João, son of Prince Pedro de Alcântara of Orléans and Bragança, was a significant event in her life, marked by a civil ceremony in 1990 and a religious wedding in Rio de Janeiro. The couple spent their later years residing in Paraty, where they were together for fifteen years before Prince João’s passing in 2005.
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| D. Teresa, wearing Yves Saint Laurent, appears in Vogue’s 1970 “10 Best Dressed Women of the World” List Photograph (c) Richard Avedon |
Princess Teresa of Orléans and Bragança died yesterday (26 June 2020) in Rio de Janeiro. Teresa was ninety-one years-old. The princess was the widow of Prince João of Orléans and Bragança.
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| Teresa in 1956 Photograph (c) O Semanário |
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| 1956: Didu (far left) and Teresa (far right) with Didu’s daughter Lilian
Photograph (c) Revista da Semana |
Teresa (or Tereza) de Jesus Cesar Leite was born on 11 January 1929 at Uba, Minas Gerais. She was the daughter of José da Silva Leite and Branca Queiroz Cesar dos Santos. In the 1950s, Teresa married Carlos Eduardo “Didu” de Sousa Campos, the son of Vilobaldo Machado de Sousa Campos, a former director of the Banco do Brasil, and his wife Letícia Dias. Teresa was Didu’s second wife. The couple had one child, a son, Diduzinho (who predeceased his mother). Teresa and Didu lived a jet-set lifestyle in their four-storey, twenty-room mansion in Copacabana. In the 1970s, the couple separated. On 28 January 1986, Didu de Souza Campos died in Rio de Janeiro after suffering a heart attack; he was seventy-two years-old.
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| Teresa de Sousa Campos |
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| The Imperial Siblings of Brazil: Prince João; Princess Isabelle, Countess of Paris; Prince Pedro Gastão; Princess Teresa In the background: Princess Maria Elisabeth, wife of Prince Pedro Henrique, and Dom Duarte, Duke of Braganza |
Thank you to my dear friend Astrid Bodstein Romêo for notifying me of this news.
what were Princess Teresa’s major contributions to education
As we conclude this article about Princess Teresa of Orléans and Bragança, we are reminded of the significant impact she had on Brazilian society. Her life was marked by a blend of glamour and tragedy, as she navigated the complexities of her royal heritage and personal relationships. From her early years as a jet-set socialite to her later years as a devoted wife and mother, Princess Teresa’s life was a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Her marriage to Prince João, son of Prince Pedro de Alcântara of Orléans and Bragança, was a significant event in her life, marked by a civil ceremony in 1990 and a religious wedding in Rio de Janeiro. The couple spent their later years residing in Paraty, where they were together for fifteen years before Prince João’s passing in 2005.
Princess Teresa’s contributions to Brazilian society were multifaceted. Her philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare, left a lasting legacy. Her dedication to her family and her community was unwavering, and her presence will be deeply missed. As we reflect on her life, we are reminded of the importance of perseverance and the enduring power of love and compassion. Princess Teresa’s story serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Brazilian royal family, and her memory will continue to inspire future generations. May her life and legacy serve as a reminder of the transformative power of kindness and generosity. Princess Teresa of Orléans and Bragança will always be remembered for her remarkable achievements and her unwavering commitment to her family and her community.
