AMEDEO FERDINANDO MARIA DI SAVOIA, DUKE OF AOSTA (1845-90), third son of Victor Emmanuel II., king of Italy, and of Adelaide, archduchess of Austria, was born at Turin May 30 1845. In 1868 he was created vice-admiral of the Italian Navy, but two years later left Italy to ascend the Spanish throne, his reluctance to accept the invitation of the Cortes having been overridden by the Italian cabinet. On Nov. 16 187o he was proclaimed king of Spain by the Cortes; but before he could arrive at Madrid Marshal Prim, chief promoter of his candidature, was assassinated.
Though warned of a plot against his life (Aug. 18 187 2) he refused to take precautions, and while returning from Buen Retiro to Madrid in company with the queen was repeatedly shot at in the Via Avenal, but escaped unhurt. A period of calm followed the outrage. On Feb. 11 1873, however, Amedeo, aban doned by his partisans and attacked more fiercely than ever by his opponents, signed his abdication. Upon returning to Italy he was cordially welcomed and reinstated in his former position. His wife, born Princess Maria Carlotta del Pozzo della Cisterna, died Nov. 3 1876. On Sept. II 1888, Amedeo contracted a second marriage with his niece Princess Letitia Bonaparte. Less than two years later (Jan. 18 1890) he died at Turin, leaving four children—the duke of Aosta, the count of Turin, the duke of the Abruzzi (issue of his first marriage), and the count of Salemi.