Ferdinand VI of Bourbon

Ferdinand VI of Bourbon (1713-1759), the second son of Philip V, was king of Spain from 1746 until his death. He completed the War of the Austrian Succession successfully but with no major substantial benefits and decided to remain neutral in the Seven Years’ War and in the conflict between the rival powers of France and England. In domestic policy, some of his advisers had great influence, such as Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea Marquis of Ensenada, José de Carvajal y Lancaster and Ricardo Wall. A great lover of music, the Neapolitan castrato Farinelli was his principal protégé. He died without an heir despite his marriage to the Portuguese Maria Barbara of Braganza and his place on the throne was taken by his brother Charles, who had to leave so the kingdom of Naples to be crowned as Charles III of Spain.