Born on 19 March 1823 in Wuerzburg, she was a daughter of Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. After a devout upbringing, marriage proposals came from France, Coburg and Nassau; but it was Archduke Francesco, heir of the Duke of Modena, whom she married on 30 March 1842 in Munich.

In 1846 Francesco succeeded as Duke of Modena but, due to Italy's unification, had to abdicate in 1859. On 19 October 1848 their only child, Anna Beatrice, was born but, on 8 July 1849, the child
died. Her husband, the last of the Modena Habsburgs, died on 20 November 1875 in Vienna.

Adelgunde lived partially in the Modena Palace in Vienna, in her residence in Munich, or in Castle Wildenwart in Chiemgau. From 1886 onwards she came to prominence when her brother Luitpold, a widower, took over the Regency of Bavaria. They were referred to as 'Aunt Modena' and 'Poldi', and were an inseperable sibling couple. Adelgunde had a great influence on her brother; together with Luitpold's daughter, Therese, she performed many social duties at Luitpold's side.

Although regarded as plain and oldfashioned, she was nevertheless feared. Both the Bavarian ministers and the government in Berlin distrusted her as she was regarded to be the Habsburg influence in Munich. On 28 October 1914 she died in Munich, having survived her husband by almost thirty-nine years. 
 

Source: Leo van de Pas