Caroline Amalie, daughter of Duke Frederik Christian of Augustenborg and Princess Louise Augusta, spent her early years in Dehn's Palace in Bredgade. After her father fell out with Frederik VI, in 1810, the family moved to Augustenborg Castle on Als.

Shortly before her 19th birthday, in 1815, Caroline Amalie married Christian (VIII) Frederik, who had previously been married to Princess Charlotte Frederikke. The marriage was harmonious and loving, and they lived a gregarious and sociable life.

Caroline Amalie was involved in social work and founded several orphanages. She was one of the first followers of N. F. S. Grundtvig, whose thinking was a great inspiration for her social work.

Caroline Amalie became queen dowager in 1848 after 33 years of marriage. Her Augustenborg roots made many Danes wary of her, but after the Danish loss of the Duchies in 1864, her popularity grew, especially due to her great commitment to charity

Caroline Amalie died in 1881, at the age of 84, at Amalienborg. Her charitable work earned her the legacy of 'Mother of Poor Children'. She bequeathed her fortune to Caroline Amalie's Asylum and Asylum School', which she had founded in 1829.

In 1896, Caroline Amalie became the first woman to be commemorated with a statue in a public square, in Kongens Have near Rosenborg Castle. She is interred next to Christian VIII in Roskilde Cathedral.