Maria Theresa

After the untimely demise of Leopold Clement, Maria Theresa exchanged the nuptial vows with Leopold’s younger brother, Francis Stephen. On February 12, 1736, the two married in an elaborate royal ceremony.

Maria Theresa gave birth to 16 children. However, only 13 of her children survived infancy. As a member of the House of Habsburg, Maria Theresa's relatives are found in nearly every European royal court.

Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was born on May 13, 1717. Maria was the oldest surviving child of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VI, and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel.

Maria's inheritance of her father's throne was based on a royal decree entitled 'The Pragmatic Sanction'. Maria's father had to fight several wars during her childhood to force neighboring nations to honor the 'Pragmatic Sanction'.

When she was 10 years old, Maria became engaged to be married to Leopold Clement of Lorraine but he died of smallpox before arrangements for their nuptials could be finalized. Maria began assisting her father's council meetings when she was just 14 years old.

In 1736, after an impressive performance during the ‘War of the Polish Succession’, Leopold Clement's younger brother, Francis Stephen, was awarded Maria's hand in marriage.

Charles VI died on October 20, 1740. Maria Theresa, as his eldest surviving child, inherited his throne upon his death.

Because of her father's poor choices, Maria began her reign unable to pay her army and her government deeply in debt. Just months after her coronation, Maria had to fend off an invasion by King Frederick II of Prussia of the Duchy of Silesia. Initially, Maria's forces were badly routed but by early 1741 they had successfully repelled the Prussian invasion.

In 1741, Maria used a legal technicality to make her husband Francis Stephen co-ruler of Austria and Bohemia so that he could later be eligible for the title of Holy Roman Emperor. Because she was female, Maria Theresa could never officially hold the title of Holy Roman Emperor.

Maria Theresa was the Holy Roman Empress and Queen Consort of Germany from September 13, 1745 to August 18, 1765. She was known for reforming the economy and educational system of her empire.