Life of A German Noblewoman

 

Just like e.g. Lola Montez and Helene Sedlmayr the beautiful, German noblewoman Caroline von Holnstein (1815-1859) appeared in the so-called "Gallery of Beauties" by German artist and Court Painter, Joseph Karl Steiler. Even though she was of noble birth, she met many problems in her life, thus proving that money and heritage isn't everything. 

However, it all started when she, 16 years old, married the 34-year-old Count Carl Theodor von Holnstein aus Bayern. It was no love match, and it seems that even though the couple didn't like each other they had three children. Unfortunately one daughter and one son died in infancy, and the only surviving son was Maximilian Carl Theodor, Count von Holnstein aus Bayern. He can't have been a very interesting individual as he is best remembered as the playmate of princes Ludwig and Otto, both later Kings of Bavaria. 

Maximilian Carl Theodor, Count von Holnstein aus Bayern (1835–1895) 

The marriage not being happy, Caroline may have been an easy prey for Cupid, because she fell in love with the married nobleman, Baron Wilhelm von Künsberg. Strangely enough, her husband, Count von Holnstein, closed his eyes to the clandestine love affair of his wife. He refused her a divorce, or just an official separation, although she gave birth to four illigitimate children. Not until her husband's death in 1895 she was able to marry Baron Wilhelm von Kunsberg and have their children officially legitimized: Baron Wilhelm Maximilian Künsberg von Fronberg (1838–1909), Baroness Wilhelmine Maria Caroline Künsberg von Fronberg (1841–1889), Baron Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Künsberg von Fronberg (1842–1876), and Baron Rudolf Philipp Wilhelm Goswin Karl Künsberg von Fronberg (b. 1844)

I like the idea that illegitimacy wasn't always seen as a perpetual "blemish" on one's name and character, but still, I also find it strange how some women - like e.g. Caroline - were able to "swim along" in a current of social disrespect. How did she succeed in doing that when many others were ostracized for having lovers or giving birth to illegitimate children?

https://boobytrapec.blogspot.com/2025/05/female-stereotypes-from-madonna-to.html

Wikipedia