Queen Paola of Belgium

Mother of King Philippe of Belgium.

BIOGRAPHY Princess (Donna) Paola Ruffo di Calabria was born 11 September 1937 in Forte dei Marmi, Lucca, Italy, the youngest child of Principe Don Fulco Ruffo di Calabria, 6.Duca di Guardia Lombarda, and Donna Luisa Gazelli. Growing up in Rome where she was educated, on 2 July 1959 Paola married Prince Albert of Belgium and they had three children.

In 1993 after the death of King Baudouin, her husband became King of The Belgians. According to the Belgian laws, she did not have to perform any specific duties, but she supports her husband on many occasions and is involved with culture and social issues. She has a social secretariat _Hulpfonds van de Koningin_, which assists people in need as a last resort. Queen Paola founded the _Koningin Paolastichting_ to support young people in need.

• Name/title: Donna Paola Margherita Maria Antonia Consiglia dei Principi Ruffo di Calabria
• By marriage princess of Liège (1959–1993), Queen Consort of the Belgians (1993–present)

Links:

• The Peerage
• Geneall
• The Belgian Monarchy
• Wikipedia