Her twin sister Maria Cristina Amelia died of smallpox on 26 February 1783, at the age of four.

Maria Cristina was married on 6 April 1807 in Palermo with Prince Charles Felix of Savoy, who became King of Sardinia when his elder brother Victor Emmanuel I abdicated in 1821.

[citation needed] In 1839 and 1840, the architect and archaeologist Luigi Canina (1795–1856) was engaged by the royal family and excavated the Theatre area of Tusculum.

[citation needed] The ancient works of art excavated were sent to the Duke of Savoy's Castle of Agliè in Piedmont.

Maria Cristina lived the rest of her life in Turin, Naples, Agliè and Frascati, and died in Savona, Liguria.