The Count of Montijo | |
Honorific Suffix: | GE LH |
Honorific Prefix: | The Most Excellent |
Birth Date: | 15 September 1784 |
Death Place: | Madrid, Spain |
Children: | María Francisca, Duchess of Alba Eugénie, Empress of the French |
Cipriano de Palafox y Portocarrero, 8th Count of Montijo, GE, LH (15 September 178415 March 1839), was a Spanish nobleman, politician and army officer. He was the father-in-law of Napoleon III.
Pro-French in his outlook, he fought for Joseph Bonaparte while the latter was king of Spain, losing an eye in battle and being honoured in Paris by Joseph's brother Napoleon I.
After the death of his elder brother, Eugenio, he inherited the countship of Montijo and the lordship (señorío) of Moguer. He befriended the famous French writer Prosper Mérimée during the latter's time in Spain.
From 1837 to 1838, he served as senator for the province of Badajoz and was also a Freemason.
On 15 December 1817, he married María Manuela Kirkpatrick y de Grevignée.
They had two daughters: