Duchess Altburg Marie Matilda Olga of Oldenburg (19 May 1903 – 16 June 2001) was a daughter of Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg

Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg

Frederick Augustus II was the last ruling grand duke of Oldenburg. He married Princess Elisabeth Anna of Prussia, daughter of Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau and Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia...

 by his second wife Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Duchess Elisabeth Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a daughter of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg by his third wife Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt...

.

Early life

In 1914, Altburg and her sister Ingeborg were nearly shot while riding in a motor car. They did not realize a bullet had been fired until they came to a stop and noticed it lodged in the upholstery. Although the person responsible is not known, it is believed that it was a stray bullet fired accidentally.

In 1918, their parents were dethroned as Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Oldenburg.

Marriage

On 25 August 1922, Altburg married Josias, Hereditary Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont

Josias, Hereditary Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont

Josias, Hereditary Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont was the heir apparent to the throne of the Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont and a General in the SS. From 1946 until his death he was the head of the Princely House of Waldeck and Pyrmont...

. He was the eldest son of Friedrich, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and Princess Bathildis of Schaumburg-Lippe. Like her own parents, Josias' parents had lost their titles at the end of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

. They had five children:

• Princess Margarethe (22 May 1923 - 21 August 2003) married (1972) div. (1979) Count Franz August zu Erbach-Erbach (b. 1925)
• Princess Alexandra (25 September 1924) married (1949) Prince Botho of Bentheim und Steinfurt (1924–2001)
• Princess Ingrid (2 September 1931)
• Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont
  Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont
  Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont has been since 1967 the head of the House of Waldeck and Pyrmont.-Early life:He was born in Arolsen the son of Hereditary Prince Josias of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his wife Duchess Altburg of Oldenburg . Heinrich Himmler was his godfather...
  
   (9 March 1936) married (1988) Countess Cecilie of Goëss-Saurau
  Countess Cecilie of Goëss-Saurau
  Countess Cecilie of Goëss-Saurau is the wife of Wittekind, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, current head of the Princely House of Waldeck and Pyrmont.- Early life :...
  
   (b. 1956)
• Princess Guda
  Princess Guda of Waldeck and Pyrmont
  Princess Guda of Waldeck and Pyrmont is the youngest daughter of Josias, Hereditary Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, head of the House of Waldeck and Pyrmont from 1946 to 1967 and first wife of Frederick William, Prince of Wied.-Early life:...
  
   (22 August 1939) married (1958) div. (1972) Frederick William, Prince of Wied
  Frederick William, Prince of Wied
  Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Wied was the grandson of William Frederick, 6th Prince of Wied. He was the titular Prince of Wied from 1945 until his death.-Early life:...
  
   (1931–2001); married second (1968) Horst Dierkes (b. 1939)

Titles and styles

• 10 August 1897 – 25 August 1922: Her Highness Duchess Altburg of Oldenburg
• 25 August 1922 – 16 June 2001: Her Highness The Hereditary Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont
  • Title in pretence: 26 May 1946 – 30 November 1967: Her Highness The Princess of Waldeck and Pyrmont

Ancestry