Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria: A Legacy of Devotion and Family Ties

Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, a member of the Habsburg royal family, left an indelible mark on European history through her life of dedication to family and service. Born on December 7, 1933, at Schloß Wallsee, she was the second daughter of Archduke Theodor Salvator and Countess Maria Theresa von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg, whose union was celebrated in 1926. This noble lineage, tracing back to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, shaped Maria Immaculata's upbringing and future endeavors. Throughout her life, Archduchess Maria Immaculata was known for her strong sense of duty and commitment to her family. Her marriage to Count Reinhart von und zu Hoensbroech in 1959, a union that produced seven children, was a testament to her dedication to her role as a wife and mother. Her involvement in various family events, such as the wedding of the Prince of Asturias in 2004, further solidified her position within the royal circles. Her legacy extends beyond her immediate family, as she played a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage of her ancestors.

Count Reinhart and Archduchess Immaculata at the wedding of their youngest son in 2000.  Photo (c) Seeger-Press.

Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, Countess von und zu Hoensbroech died on 2 April 2022 at Engelskirchen, Germany. She was eighty-eight years-old. Maria Immaculata was buried at Schloß Kellenberg on 9 April.

The wedding of Archduke Theodor Salvator and Countess Maria Theresa, 1926.

Born on 7 December 1933 at Schloß Wallsee, Archduchess Maria Immakulata (Immaculata) Mathilde Elisabeth Gabriele Walburga Huberta of Austria-Tuscany was the third child and second daughter of Archduke Theodor Salvator (1899-1978) and Countess Maria Theresa von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (1901-1967), who wed in 1926. Schloß Wallsee had been inherited by Archduke Theodor Salvator from his mother Archduchess Marie Valerie, the daughter of Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. 

Archduke Franz Salvator of Austria-Tuscany, Princess Theresa of Bavaria, Countess Maria Immaculata von und zu Hoensbroech, and Archduke Karl Salvator.

Maria Immaculata had three siblings: Archduke Franz Salvator (1927-2012; married twice), Archduchess Theresa (b.1931; married Prince Rasso of Bavaria), and Archduke Karl Salvator (b.1936; married Edith Wenzl Baroness von Sternbach).

Maria Immaculata and Reinhart with their seven children.

Read More :Princess Elmira of Saxony (1930-2022)

On 14 May 1959 at Koslar, Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany civilly married Count Reinhart von und zu Hoensbroech (1926-2005), the fourth child and second son of Count Lothar von und zu Hoensbroech (1889-1951) and Baroness Helene de Loë (1896-1933). Maria Immaculata and Reinhart celebrated their religious marriage on 9 June 1959 at Schloß Wallsee. The couple went on to have seven children: Countess Alexandra (b.1960), Count Branco (b.1961; married Baroness Assunta von Lüninck), Countess Consuelo (b.1962; married Count Alexandre d'Hemricourt de Grünne), Countess Donata (b.1963; married Count Friedrich-August von Plettenberg), Countess Elena (b.1965; married Baron Georg von Holzhausen, one of the sons of Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria-Tuscany, a second cousin of Archduchess Maria Immaculata), Count Florian (b.1969; married Princess Desiree of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach), and Countess Gloria (b.1974). 

Kellenberg.

The couple raised their family at Schloß Kellenberg, the ancestral home of Count Reinhart. For many decades, Reinhart oversaw the castle and its estate; he was an accomplished forester. In April 1992, a fire almost completely destroyed the main part of the castle. Schloß Kellenberg was sold by the family in 2009. Together, Reinhart and Maria Immaculata enjoyed vacationing to locales which were not overwhelmed by tourists. In 2004, Archduchess Maria Immaculata attended the wedding of the Prince of Asturias (now King Felipe VI of Spain).

Archduchess Maria Immaculata and Count Reinhart at the wedding of Hereditary Prince Carl Christian von Wrede and Countess Katalin Bethlen de Bethlen, 2003. Photo (c) Seeger-Press / Minka Reddig.

Maria Immaculata was widowed on 8 June 2005 when her husband Reinhart died at the age of seventy-eight. The couple had been married forty-five years, and would have celebrated their forty-sixth anniversary the day after Count Reinhart passed away following a short illness. Now, Maria Immaculata has rejoined her husband.

Maria Immaculata with Pastor Stefan Bäuerle at Schloß Kellenberg, 2009. Photo (c) Jagodzinska.

May Maria Immaculata Rest in Peace.

As we conclude our exploration of the life and legacy of Archduchess Maria Immaculata of Austria-Tuscany, we are reminded of the profound impact she had on her family and the world around her. Her dedication to her role as a wife, mother, and member of the royal family was unwavering, and her commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of her ancestors is a testament to her enduring legacy. Through her marriage to Count Reinhart von und zu Hoensbroech and the birth of their seven children, Archduchess Maria Immaculata ensured the continuation of her family's noble lineage, a tradition that dates back to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. Her involvement in various family events, such as the wedding of the Prince of Asturias in 2004, further solidified her position within the royal circles.

As we reflect on the life of Archduchess Maria Immaculata, we are struck by the many ways in which she embodied the values of her family and her heritage. Her strong sense of duty and commitment to her family were hallmarks of her life, and her involvement in preserving the cultural heritage of her ancestors is a lasting tribute to her legacy. Through her life and her family, Archduchess Maria Immaculata left behind a lasting impact on the world, an impact that will continue to be felt for generations to come. We hope that this article has provided a meaningful glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman, and we encourage our readers to continue exploring the rich history and culture of the Habsburg royal family.