Dom Pedro II (English: Peter II; 2 December 1825 â€" 5 December 1891),
nicknamed "the Magnanimous", was the second and last monarch of the
Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years.[A] He was born in Rio de
Janeiro, the seventh child of Emperor Dom Pedro I of Brazil and
Empress Dona Maria Leopoldina and thus a member of the Brazilian
branch of the House of Braganza. His father's abrupt abdication and
departure to Europe in 1831 left the five year-old as emperor and led
to a grim and lonely childhood and adolescence, obliged to spend his
time studying in preparation for rule. His experiences with court
intrigues and political disputes during this period greatly affected
his later character; he grew into a man with a strong sense of duty
and devotion toward his country and his people, yet increasingly
resentful of his role as monarch.Pedro II inherited an empire on the
verge of disintegration, but he turned Brazil into an emerging power
in the international arena. The nation grew to be distinguished from
its Hispanic neighbors on account of its political stability,
zealously guarded freedom of speech, respect for civil rights, vibrant
economic growth, and form of governmentâ€"a functional representative
parliamentary monarchy. Brazil was also victorious in the Platine War,
the Uruguayan War, and the Paraguayan War, as well as prevailing in
several other international disputes and domestic tensions. Pedro II
steadfastly pushed through the abolition of slavery despite opposition
from powerful political and economic interests. A savant in his own
right, the Emperor established a reputation as a vigorous sponsor of
learning, culture, and the sciences, and he won the respect and
admiration of people such as Charles Darwin, Victor Hugo, and
Friedrich Nietzsche, and was a friend to Richard Wagner, Louis
Pasteur, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, among others.There was no
desire for a change in the form of government among most Brazilians,
but the Emperor was overthrown in a sudden coup d'état that had
almost no support outside a clique of military leaders who desired a
form of republic headed by a dictator. Pedro II had become weary of
emperorship and despaired over the monarchy's future prospects,
despite its overwhelming popular support. He did not allow his ouster
to be opposed and did not support any attempt to restore the monarchy.
He spent the last two years of his life in exile in Europe, living
alone on very little money. Pedro II of Brazil Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter