Catherine the Great’s mother, Maria, Countess von Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, died on May 7, 1796. The cause of her death was largely attributed to an illness that was common among the nobility at the time, but specific details are sparse.
Maria’s health had been declining for several years, and the pressures of court life, along with the strains of her daughter’s rise to power, likely took a toll on her well-being. There are accounts suggesting that she suffered from a series of strokes, which ultimately led to her passing.
Although Catherine had a complex relationship with her mother, her death marked a significant moment in Catherine’s life as it showcased the fragility of life in the upper echelons of society during that period. The loss also reflected the challenges and emotional burdens that came with familial ties, especially in the context of political ambition and personal sacrifice.