She was born in Munich.
She was engaged to Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was her cousin. Their engagement was publicized on January 22, 1867, but after after having repeatedly postponed the wedding date, Ludwig finally canceled it in October.
The following year, on September 28, 1868, she married Ferdinand Philippe Marie, duc d'Alençon (July 12th, 1844 - June 29, 1910), son of Louis Charles Philippe Raphael, duc de Nemours, at Schloß Possenhofen near Starnberg.
Sophie died at a charity bazar, in Paris, on May 4, 1897.