Anders Zorn

Queen Sofia

Sofia of Nassau was born in July 1836 at Biebrich Castle in the Duchy of Nassau, Germany, and was the daughter of Wilhelm of Nassau-Weilburg and Pauline of Württemberg.

In the summer of 1856, she stayed with her older half-sister Marie at Monrepos Castle. There, she met Prince Oscar (II), whom she married the following year, and with whom she had four sons.

Sofia is known for her extensive charitable work. Inspired by the new healthcare practices advocated by the British Florence Nightingale, whose knowledge was beginning to spread across Europe, the queen established the first nursing education in Sweden and laid the foundation for the Sophiahemmet Hospital in Stockholm. She was the chair of the board and remained committed to the education throughout her life.