Quick Facts
Biography
Karoline von Schlotheim (1766-1847), was the royal mistress of William I, Elector of Hesse from 1788 until 1811.
She was the daughter of Heinrich Christian Wilhelm von Schlotheim and Friederike Most aus Wilhelmstal. She was kidnapped by William I, who made her his mistress. In 1788, he made her Countess of Schlotheim and in 1793, he built the castle Löwenstein for her. He asked her advice in matters of state affairs, and she had influence upon the development of the state. In 1807, she followed him in exile. In 1811, he made her countess von Hessenstien.
Issue:
With William I, Elector of Hesse, she had the children:
Wilhelm Friedrich of Hessenstein (1789–1790)
Wilhelm Karl of Hessenstein (1790–1867)
Ferdinand of Hessenstein (1791–1794)
Karoline of Hessenstein (1792–1797)
Auguste of Hessenstein (1793–1795)
Ludwig Karl of Hessenstein (1794–1857)
Friederike of Hessenstein (1795–1855)
Wilhelm Ludwig (1800–1836)
Friedrich Ludwig (1803–1805)
Karoline of Hessenstein (1804–1891)