On 1 April 1825 in Florence she was born as the second child of Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his first wife, Princess Maria Anna of Saxony. Auguste was a devout Catholic and brought up with simplicity and a thorough education. She grew up to be tall, beautiful and self-confident, had artistic and scientific interests which showed in correspondence with scientists, artists and politicians. 

Ludwig I, King of Bavaria, initially opposed her marrying his son, Prince Luitpold, because of her early showing signs of a breast illness. However, Luitpold insisted and, on 15 April 1844 in Florence, they married and became the parents of four children. Auguste was a successful wife, not only influencing her husband in a way unheard of in those times but also supporting his further development and political activities. 

People began to make comparisons between Luitpold and his elder brother, Crown prince Maximilian. During the revolution in 1848, she spoke out against Lola Montez and tried to help in repairing the damage done between King Ludwig I and his people. For a while the Bavarians, while praising Auguste, were clamouring to have Luitpold succeed Ludwig I. However, it was the Crown Prince who succeeded, becoming Maximilian II, King of Bavaria. 

Years later she suffered from a lung disease and, on 26 April 1864, died aged only just thirty-nine. In 1886, after the death of King Ludwig II and the obvious insanity of his brother the new king, 
Luitpold became Regent of Bavaria and remained as such until his death in 1912. 

Source: Leo van de Pas