 In April 1676 Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor lost his second wife, and almost immediately began to search for a new one, urged by the need of a male heir.From his previous marriages he had six children, but all except the oldest daughter, Archduchess Maria Antonia, died shortly after birth.This time Eleonore was chosen, over Duchess Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria (later Dauphine of France), Princess Ulrika Eleonora of Denmark (later Queen consort of Sweden) and many other potential candidates.