Gunilla Bielke

Queen

Birthday June 25, 1568

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Sweden

DEATH DATE Jul 19, 1597 (29)

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About

This sixteenth-century Swedish queen was the second wife of King John III and the mother of John, Duke of Östergötland. She influenced her husband to take a pro-Protestant viewpoint in religious disputes (the former queen had favored a Catholic stance in such matters). 

Before Fame

In 1583, following the death of his first queen, Catherine Jagellonica, King John III chose Bielke as his wife. His stated reason for the choice -- when he had been presented with numerous other candidates, many of them foreign royals -- was that she was very beautiful.

Trivia

She was the inspiration for a 1983 historical novel by Anna Sparre.

Family Life

The daughter of Johan Axelsson Bielke and Margareta Axelsdotter Posse, she was orphaned at a young age and grew up in the Swedish royal court as a childhood friend of Princess Anna Vasa.

Associated With

She and King Gustav III were both members of Swedish Royalty.

Gunilla Bielke Is A Member Of