Recently, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, a prominent advocate for humanitarian action, joined us for an exclusive interview. Read on for some highlights about her experience, and how she and her family are preparing for this exciting new chapter. After serving for 25 years as Grand Duchess herself, her husband, the Grand Duke Henri, abdicates in October. He will hand over control to their son, Prince Guillaume. This landmark event marks a profound end of an era, both for the Grand Duchess and for the nation. It bolsters her resolve to keep funding her philanthropic priorities.
Maria Teresa on the run, as her family fled Cuba at the age of 4 due to the Castro revolution. Since then, she has been living a life of service and compassion. She founded the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Foundation shortly after her marriage in 1978. This foundation has truly transformed into the bedrock of her passion for service to the needy. As through her organization Stand Speak Rise Up!, she has focused on the most urgent issues of our time, including helping other marginalized communities.
In 2021, the United Nations took note of her efforts, naming her a UN Sustainable Development Goal Champion for her humanitarian work. For decades, she has fought with fierce devotion to social justice. From labor organizing to art activism, her work uplifts marginalized communities and embodies the values instilled in her by her upbringing.
A Life Shaped by Family and Heritage
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attributes her tenacity and empathy to her upbringing. Her maternal and paternal grandmothers had a profound influence on her upbringing. She remembers so fondly the impact they had, driving home the message about developing critical bonds with her grandkids.
“I was lucky enough to have two grandmothers who played a key role in my development and I know how decisive that is. So it’s very important to me to be there for my grandchildren and to nurture a relationship of trust with them.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Her upbringing on the island was influenced by a reactionary family environment. That was all turned upside down when her family moved to Geneva, giving her access to a more progressive Francophone system. This cultural shift initiated a deep personal journey for her, as she found herself needing to reconcile her Cuban culture with her American experience.
“My parents decided that we shouldn’t be nostalgic but should try to integrate. We arrived first in New York then, when they realized that we couldn’t return to Cuba, they decided to settle in Geneva. I was nine years old. It was a huge cultural leap because at home I spoke Spanish and my family was conservative; whereas at school we spoke in French and it was more liberal.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Even as a child, her commitment to self-improvement shone through. Maria Teresa trained in ballet rigorously for 15 years, which speaks to her discipline, work ethic, and pursuit of excellence. These early, experiential understandings would prove formative in her development as a public figure and matriarch in concert with one another.
Balancing Royal Duties with Family Life
During her reign as Grand Duchess, Maria Teresa has balanced the rigors of royal life with the demands of motherhood, raising five children. Despite the demands of official duties, she has always prioritized family relationships, even though she sometimes regrets not spending enough time with them.
“I admit that I haven’t devoted as much time to my five children as I’d have liked. Official life has often taken precedence over family life, and that’s something I regret.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Her son Louis had a hard time with dyslexia himself, and this led her to fight for his rights. In 2016, she created an international platform for experts to come together and discuss solutions to the problem. This initiative is a testament to her dedication not just to her children, but to the greater cause of educational change.
“Speaking of the children, my son Louis suffers from dyslexia. I didn’t know how to help him so I immersed myself in the subject… so in 2016 I set up a forum, supported by the Ministry of Education, to bring together international specialists.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
As she approaches abdication, Maria Teresa reflects on her years navigating the often treacherous waters of royal duty. To make sure her kids shaped the way they needed to, she is an advocate and a warrior.
“It was complicated because he was an older son whose destiny was already decided… I explained to them that while he’d have privileges there would also be a lot of obligations and restrictions on his freedom.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Looking Ahead with Hope and Purpose
As the Grand Duchess enters this new stage in life, she says she feels complete. She is looking forward to the prospect of leaving the public stage after 44 years of service.
“No, these are happy moments. I’ve spent 44 years in the spotlight and am relieved that that’s coming to an end. And I’m not worried about getting old because I’ve never felt so good, so fulfilled and so at peace with myself as I have this last decade.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
She intends to continue her humanitarian work. Alongside that, she very much looks forward to spending time traveling with her husband and seeing their grandchildren grow up. Maria Teresa would like to grow old gracefully and be productive in issues that are important to her.
“I hope to stay healthy for as long as possible. My humanitarian work motivates me… I’m trying to grow old as elegantly as possible!” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Maria Teresa says that she feels lucky for the opportunities that she has been afforded. Her marriage to Grand Duke Henri continues to blossom in mutual respect and admiration and provides wellsprings of strength and inspiration.
“I don’t know how to explain the power of love. We grow together, we change together and we choose paths that bring us ever closer to each other.” – Grand Duchess Maria Teresa
As Luxembourg prepares for this inevitable leadership transition, the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s legacy will no doubt live on. Her compassion and dedication will continue to influence our nation’s social landscape.
