Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp

Magdalena Sibylle of Holstein-Gottorp (also spelled Magdalena Sibylla; 24 November 1631 at Gottorp Castle – 22 September 1719 in Güstrow) was a Duchess of Holstein-Gottorp by birth and by marriage a Duchess of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. From 1654 to 1695, she was the consort of Duke Gustav Adolph of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.

Background

Magdalene Sybille was the second daughter of Duke Frederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp (1597–1659) and his wife Marie Elisabeth of Saxony (1610–1684).

Marriage and issue

On 28 December 1654, she married Gustav Adolph, the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. Although nine of their eleven children lived to mature adulthood, they had no surviving male heirs. This led to a succession dispute that was settled by the Partition of Hamburg (1701), which redivided the interior of the Duchy of Mecklenburg among the surviving lines.

• Johann, Hereditary Prince of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (2 December 1655 – 6 February 1660), died in early childhood.
• Eleonore (1 June 1657 – 24 February 1672), died in adolescence.
• Marie (June 19, 1659 – 6 January 1701), married on 23 September 1684 to Duke Adolph Frederick II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
• Magdalene (5 July 1660 – 19 February 1702).
• Sophie (21 June 1662 – 1 June 1738), married on 6 December 1700 to Duke Christian Ulrich I of Württemberg-Oels.
• Christine (14 August 1663 – 3 August 1749), married on 4 May 1683 to Louis Christian, Count of Stolberg-Gedern.
• Charles, Hereditary Prince of Mecklenburg-Güstrow (18 November 1664 – 15 March 1688), married on 10 August 1687 to Marie Amalie of Brandenburg, a daughter of Elector Frederick William. He died unexpectedly of smallpox.
• Hedwig (12 January 1666 – 9 August 1735), married on 1 December 1686 to Duke August of Saxe-Merseburg-Zörbig.
• Louise (28 August 1667 – 15 March 1721), married on 5 December 1696 to King Frederick IV of Denmark.
• Elisabeth (3 September 1668 – 25 August 1738), married on 29 March 1692 to Duke Henry of Saxe-Merseburg-Spremberg.
• Augusta (27 December 1674 – 19 May 1756).

Gallery

Widowhood

After her husband's death, she remained a widow for 26 years. She retained a small court in Güstrow. However, after the Mecklenburg-Güstrow line of dukes died out, the court in Güstrow lost its former glory and significance.

Ancestry

References

• Johann Stieber: Merckwürdige und erbauliche Lebensbeschreibung der … Fürstin Magdalena Sibylla, verwitwete regierende Fürstin zu Mecklenburg, Rostock, 1745