Stephanie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen was born on 15 July 1837 as the daughter of Karl Anton, Prince of Hohenzollern and Princess Josephine of Baden.

Stephanie married King Peter V of Portugal on 29 April 1858 in a proxy ceremony at st. Hedwig’s Cathedral in Berlin. They finally married in person on 18 May 1858 at the Church of St. Dominic in Lisbon. They spent their honeymoon in Sintra, supposedly strolling arm in arm through the mountains. In her short time as Queen, she was known for her charity and she founded several hospitals and charities.

After a visit to Vendas Novas, Stephanie was struck down by diphtheria, and she died at the age of just 22 on 17 July 1859. Peter was devastated by her death, and he never remarried. He died just two years later of either typhoid or cholera.

They are both buried in the Pantheon of the Braganzas.