 Umberto was married in Rome on 8 January 1930 to Princess Marie José of Belgium (1906–2001), daughter of King Albert I of the Belgians and his wife, Queen Elisabeth, "née" Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.Umberto, who considered himself a great fashionista, personally designed his bride's wedding dress and according to a popular rumor liked to wear his bride's wedding dress in the company of his gay friends.Umberto did not spend his wedding night with his bride, instead enjoying the company of a group of young men whom he gave U-shaped diamond rings.