Salvador Agustín Francisco de Paula de Iturbide y Marzán was the grandson of Agustín de Iturbide, the first emperor of independent Mexico, and his wife Empress Ana María. He became the adopted son, along with his cousin Agustín de Iturbide y Green, of Mexico's only other imperial couple—Emperor Maximilian I and Empress Carlota.

Ana María Josefa Ramona Juana Nepomucena Marcelina Huarte y Muñiz was the first Empress of Mexico. Noted for her beauty, grace and education, she married Agustín de Iturbide who ruled briefly as Emperor in 1822-23, before being exiled by the short-lived provisional government. Inspired to return to Mexico to serve the nation as a soldier, he was arrested and executed. The Empress lived out her widowhood mostly in the United States.