Maria Theresa

AustriaHabsburg1740-1780
RealmAustria
Reign1740-1780
HouseHabsburg
LegacyMother of Europe, reforming empress

Biography

The only woman to rule Habsburg lands, her succession triggered the War of Austrian Succession and Silesia loss to Frederick. She bore 16 children, Marie Antoinette among them, married them across Europe. Reforms, education mandatory, church control, tax survey, the modern bureaucratic state, with co ruler son Joseph II. She rebuilt the army, kept the empire together, mother of the nations.

Related Monarchs