Of her children, only one -- the youngest (Infanta Maria Ana of Portugal) -- had an unusually long life: she died in 1962 in her 97th year. Her only son died at the age of 74, her first two daughters died in their 89th years, her third daughter died in her 86th, her fourth daughter in her 88th, and her fifth daughter was 81 at the time of death.
It's not until the next two generations of her family that one witnesses real longevity. Notable examples coming to mind: Empress Zita of Austria died in her 97th year (just like her mother); Archduke Otto died in his 99th year; Duke Albrecht of Bavaria was 91; Princess Gabrielle of Bavaria is still living at 91; Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg is still living at 97; Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma (Queen of Romania) died in her 93rd year; Princess Marie-Jose of Belgium died in her 95th year; Archduke Felix of Austria died at the age of 95; and Archduke Rudolf of Austria died in his 91st year.
I'm sure there are other examples (Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians and Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg both lived to 89, therefore coming close to reaching 90). But the above-mentioned examples are only a select few; and because they were/are grandchildren of great-grandchildren of A
delaide, I'm not sure if there is any genetic factor behind them. It seems to me simply a case of modern medicine.
What is the basis for attributing longevity to their ancestor?
936
Message Thread
« Back to index