Marie-José Charlotte Sophie Amélie Henriette Gabrielle (August 4, 1906-January 27, 2001) was born in Ostend, Belgium, the last child of Albert I. On January 30, 1930, she married Prince Umberto, who later became the King of Italy. They had four children together. She was queen of Italy for barely a month, before the 1946 referendum sent them into exile. Afterwards, the two separated, because of Umberto's playboy behavior. She returned to Italy only after her husband had died in 1983. Maria Jose died in a Geneva clinic due to lung cancer at the age of 94. Maria-Jose's death was instrumental in influencing the Italian government to amend its constitution and allow male members of the house of Savoy to visit Italy.
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Last updated: 08-02-2005 09:37:39
