Maria Elisabeth of Saxony (1736–1818)

Maria Elisabeth of Saxony (5 September 1736 – 24 December 1818) was a Saxon princess, a member of the Albertine line of the House of Wettin, and a sister of Kings Frederick Augustus I and Anthony of Saxony.

Early Life and Family: Born in Pillnitz Castle near Dresden, Maria Elisabeth Apollonia Magdalena was the eighth child and fourth daughter of Prince-Elector Frederick Augustus II of Saxony, King of Poland, and his wife, Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria. She was raised in the court of Dresden, a center of artistic and cultural life.

Life: Unlike some of her sisters who married into other European royal families, Maria Elisabeth remained unmarried. She lived primarily in Dresden, where she devoted herself to religious works and charitable activities. She was known for her piety and her generosity towards the poor. She never held any formal political power but remained a respected member of the Saxon royal family throughout her life.

Death: Maria Elisabeth died in Dresden on December 24, 1818, at the age of 82. She was buried in the Wettin Crypt of the Hofkirche (Catholic Church of the Royal Court of Saxony) in Dresden. Her long life spanned a period of significant political and social change in Europe, witnessing the rise of Napoleon and the subsequent re-establishment of the old order.

Legacy: Though she did not play a significant role in historical events, Maria Elisabeth is remembered as a devout and philanthropic member of the Saxon royal family, representing a continuity of tradition and religious commitment within the House of Wettin.