Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena was the daughter of Rodrigo de Melo, second child of Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 1st Duke of Cadaval, and of Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess of Abrantes.
In 22 December 1756, Maria Margarida married her uncle, Joaquim Francisco de Sá Almeida e Menezes, 2nd Marquis of Abrantes, who died in 1756.
When she was already widow, King Joseph I of Portugal granted her the rank of Duchess of Abrantes because she became the queen's Chamberlady, the highest palatine office for a lady, as well as her mother did.
In 20 February 1757, she remarried with D. João da Bemposta, Infante Francisco natural son, to whom it was granted the honours of Duke.
When her mother died, Maria Margarida inherited her House, becoming 4th Marchioness of Abrantes and 10th Countess of Penaguião.
Maria Margarida had no issue from both marriages, and she was succeeded by her 2nd cousin Pedro de Lancastre da Silveira de Castelo-Branco Sá e Menezes, 7th Count of Vila Nova de Portimão.
