She served as Regent of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in October-December 1737 during the absence of her brother Francesco III.

Her parents' marriage had required papal dispensation because of the close interrelationships of the ducal families of Brunswick and Modena.

Her mother died in 1710 after giving birth to a dead daughter, leaving five small children behind.

Amalia grew up in the Ducal Palace of Modena alongside her siblings Benedetta, Francesco, Gian Federico (who died young) and Enrichetta.

Amalia secretly married an adventurer, the "Marquis de Villeneuf" (¿?-1739), who died fighting at the Battle of Futach in 1739.