Christina Magdalena was born in Nyköping, Sweden, as her parents did not move to Germany until 1618, three years after their wedding.[1] In 1622, the family moved back to Sweden to avoid the Thirty Years War. Christina Magdalena was described as a "somewhat pretty and pleasing woman" and was reportedly a friend of the queen, Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg.[2] She accompanied Maria Eleonora to the King in Germany in 1631, and returned to Sweden with her in 1633.[3] The last mentioned year, there was unsuccessful negotiations about a marriage to Bernard of Saxe-Weimar.[4]
After the death of her mother in 1638, Christina Magdalena was asked by the Swedish parliament to contribute to the education of Maria Eleonora's daughter, the later Queen Christina. She did this until her marriage in 1642.
Negotiations for her marriage began in 1637, and included "a young and rich Marquess of Huntly" in 1641. The same year, Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach visited Sweden. After having befriended her brother, he was accepted as her suitor.[5]
The wedding, held in Stockholm, was postponed until 30 November 1642 after a fire broke out at the ball before their designated wedding date on 26 November.[1] Her spouse applied for a position in the Swedish army, but the Swedish military did not wish to employ foreign princes, and therefore, the couple moved to Germany.[6]
In 1654, her brother succeeded as king of Sweden, and in 1656, he granted her to estate Kutzenhausen, which provided her with an income.[7] Christina Magdalena became Margravine consort of Baden-Durlach when her spouse became Margrave in 1659. She was widowed in 1662.
In Germany, Christina Magdalena was given a good judgement by her contemporaries and described as an "excellent" character.[8]
All Swedish kings from Adolf FredericktoCharles XIII descend from Christina Magdalena. The eight children of Frederick and Christina, including two ancestors of Swedish royal lines, were:
