Maria of Aragon was a Spanish princess born in 1482, the daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. She was part of the Catholic Monarchs who unified Spain and played a significant role in the country's history. Maria was known for her beauty and intelligence, and she was married to Manuel I of Portugal in 1500, strengthening the ties between Spain and Portugal. After her husband's death in 1504, Maria returned to Spain. She later married Alfonso of Portugal, but he died shortly after their marriage. Maria's life was marked by political alliances and the challenges of royal duties during a transformative period in European history.