According to one of Maria Helena and João Maria’s descendants, Augusto Martins Ferreira do Amaral, 3rd Baron of Oliveira Lima, Maria Helena cheated on her first husband  and had an affair with the commander of her first husband’s ship, who was João Maria Ferreira do Amaral. He would later become her second husband.
According to one of Maria Helena and João Maria’s relatives, Augusto Martins Ferreira do Amaral, 3rd Baron of Oliveira Lima, Maria Helena had an extramarital relationship with the commander of her first husband's vessel, who would later marry her.