was born in the Palacio del bosque de Valsaín, Segovia on 12 August 1566, daughter of Philip II of Spain and his third wife Elisabeth of Valois. Her father, Philip II, was reportedly overjoyed at her birth, and declared himself to be happier on the occasion than he would have been at the birth of a son.
Philip already had a male heir, Carlos, Prince of Asturias, the child of his first marriage to Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal. However, father and son had never developed a close rapport and frequently lived in conflict with one another.
Isabella's mother had originally been betrothed to Don Carlos, but political complications unexpectedly necessitated her marriage to Philip instead. Despite the significant age difference between them, Philip was very attached to Elisabeth, staying close by her side even when she was ill with smallpox.
Elisabeth's first pregnancy in 1564 ended in a miscarriage of twin daughters. She later gave birth to Isabella Clara Eugenia on 12 August 1566, and then to Isabella's younger sister Catherine Michelle 10 October 1567. Elisabeth miscarried a daughter in 1568 and died the same day.
Isabella grew up with her sister...
beloved by her father and her stepmother and first cousin, Anna of Austria, Philip's fourth wife.
Philip ultimately fathered five children by Anna, all of whom died in early childhood except his heir, Philip III. Philip II is frequently characterized as having been affectionate towards his offspring, there exists numerous letters addressed from him to his daughters which testify his deep attachment to them, each letter lovingly signed "Your good father".
Isabella was also the only person whom Philip permitted to help him with his work, sorting his papers and translating Italian documents into the Spanish language for him. Isabella remained close to her father until his death on 13 September 1598, and served as his primary caretaker during the last three years of his life, when he was plagued by gout and frequent illness.
~wikipedia~
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