Magdalena Sibylla of Holstein-Gottorp


Magdalena Sibylle of Holstein-Gottorp was a Duchess of Holstein-Gottorp by birth and by marriage a Duchess of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. From 1654 to 1695, she was the consort of Duke Gustav Adolph of Mecklenburg-Güstrow.

Background

Magdalene Sybille was the second daughter of Duke Frederick III of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp and his wife Marie Elisabeth of Saxony.

Marriage and issue

On 28 December 1654, she married Gustav Adolph, the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow. Although nine of their eleven children lived to mature adulthood, they had no surviving male heirs. This led to a succession dispute that was settled by the Partition of Hamburg (1701), which redivided the interior of the Duchy of Mecklenburg among the surviving lines.

Widowhood

After her husband's death, she remained a widow for 26 years. She retained a small court in Güstrow. However, after the Mecklenburg-Güstrow line of dukes died out, the court in Güstrow lost its former glory and significance.