Ebba Magnusdotter Brahe

Ebba Magnusdotter Brahe was a Swedish countess, landowner and courtier. She is mostly known for being the love object of king Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (1611-1632), and their marriage plans which were however never realized.

Ebba came to the Swedish court as a maid of honor to queen dowager Christina of Holstein-Gottorp, who had been a personal friend to her mother, in 1611-1614, and to the elder queen dowager, Catherine Stenbock, in 1614-1618. While at the court she and Gustavus Adolphus fell in love and wished to marry each other. However the marriage was imposible, and Ebba married Count Jacob De la Gardie in 1618.

She moved with her husband to Swedish Estonia, where he served as governor, and the couple had fourteen children. Jacob was frequently absent from their home and she was given the responsibility of the family finances, and management of the family estates. In 1628, the couple settled in Sweden.

After the death of her husband Ebba became known as a business person who successfully managed her estates and expanded them. In honor of her husband she founded the city of Jakobstad in Finland.