From Florence to Belgrade : the turbulent life of Natalija Obrenović
Natalija Obrenović, born Natalia Keșco in 1859 in Florence, was Queen Consort of Serbia from 1882 to 1889 alongside her husband, King Milan I Obrenović. Born into the Moldavian nobility, she experienced a youth marked by the loss of her parents and was educated under the care of her uncle. Her marriage to Milan was soon troubled by marital tensions and political differences: while Milan grew closer to Austria-Hungary, Natalija supported Russia. Their relationship deteriorated to the point that Natalija left the country in 1887 with their son, Aleksandar. Their divorce was granted and later annulled, and in 1889 Milan abdicated in favour of Aleksandar, briefly making Natalija regent of the kingdom.
The light of an engagement !
After her forced exile and temporary return to Belgrade, Natalija was permanently banished in 1900 for opposing her son’s marriage to Draga Mašin. In 1903, Aleksandar and Draga were assassinated during a coup d’état, bringing the Obrenović dynasty to an end. As the last representative of this lineage, Natalija withdrew to France, converted to Catholicism, and entered religious life. She devoted her life to charitable work, supporting war-wounded soldiers and women’s education, while also acting as a patron of artists and intellectuals. She died in 1941 in Saint-Denis and was buried in the old cemetery of Lardy, leaving behind an important cultural and philanthropic legacy.
The FYSE pays tribute to Natalija Obrenović
On 4 May, in the presence of Mrs Anđelka Šimišić, Consul of the Republic of Serbia, we laid wreaths to mark the 84th anniversary of the death of Queen Natalija Obrenović. Although she lived for many years far from Serbia, Queen Natalija never forgot her homeland, which she loved deeply. Through her generous bequests, she left a lasting mark, particularly through her support for the University of Belgrade and the Serbian people as a whole.
Sadly, her grave remained forgotten for many years. Through this gesture, we pay tribute to her unwavering commitment to Serbia.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr Dragan Lernić, president of the organisation “Vivre Ensemble”.
Sources:
Par unattributed — photovintagefrance, Public domaine, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15769995