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José María Álvarez de Toledo
11th Conde de La Ventosa
(1881–1950)

Biographical

11th Conde de La Ventosa 1912 –1950†
Grand Cross of the Order of San Hermenegildo [Spain]
Cross of Military Merit [Spain]
Knight of the Legion of Honour [France]
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint Benedict of Avis [Portugal]
Cross of the Order of Saint Michael [Bavaria]
Brigadier general 1942
Colonel 1938
President of the Royal Photographic Society of Madrid 1926–36; –1944
Gentleman of the Chamber to Alfonso XIII
Captain 1913
Lieutenant of the Queen's Lancers Regiment, 2nd Cavalry 1898

José María was a renowned photographer before embarking on a military career. As a royal escort in 1904, he accompanied the royal carriage in 1906 during the wedding procession of Alfonso XIII and his new wife, when a bomb was thrown in their direction, although he and the royal couple were unharmed. He remained in that role until 1913, but continued his service to the royal family. He also kept up his interest in photography and exhibited his works. He resigned from the military in 1931 but rejoined after the 1936 uprising. After the Civil War, José María returned as President of the Royal Photographic Society of Madrid. He became Conde de La Ventosa in 1912 when his mother ceded the title to him.

Place of birth: Madrid
Place of second marriage: Madrid
Place of death: Madrid

Son of Alfonso Álvarez de Toledo and Genoveva de Samaniego, he was married firstly to María del Pilar Frígola in 1912, no issue, and secondly to María de las Mercedes Mencos in 1916, with issue:
• Maria del Carmen, *1917, Madrid
• Maria del Amor Hermoso, *1918, Madrid, †2005 Madrid
• José María (see)
• Mercedes Cristina, *1920 Madrid, †1983 Madrid, married 1950 in Madrid to José Antonio Moyano, and had issue
• Pedro (see)
• María de la Fuencisla, *1923, Madrid, †2006, married 1946 in Madrid to Pedro Moreno, with issue
• María de la Paz, *1924, Madrid, †2008 Madrid, married in Madrid 1949 to Francisco Cerdán, †2004
• Ramón (see)