Sophie Augusta of Holstein-Gottorp


Sophie Augusta of Holstein-Gottorp was a regent of Anhalt-Zerbst during the minority of her eldest surviving son from 1667 until 1674.

Life

She was a daughter of Frederick III, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and Duchess Marie Elisabeth of Saxony.
On 16 September 1649 in Gottorp, she married John VI, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. Sophie Augusta was constantly pregnant during her marriage, giving birth almost once a year, but most of her children went on to die in infancy.
After her husband died in 1667, she served as regent for her minor son Charles William until he came of age in 1674.

Issue

Only five of her fourteen children survived into adulthood:
  1. John Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, died in infancy.
  2. George Rudolph, Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, died in infancy.
  3. Karl William, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst.
  4. Anthony Günther, Prince of Anhalt-Mühlingen.
  5. John Adolph.
  6. John Louis I, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg.
  7. Joachim Ernest, died in infancy.
  8. Magdalene Sophie, died in infancy.
  9. Frederick, died in infancy.
  10. Hedwig Marie Eleonore, died in infancy.
  11. Sophie Auguste, married on 11 October 1685 to Johann Ernst III, Duke of Saxe-Weimar.
  12. A daughter.
  13. Albert.
  14. Augustus, died in infancy.