Maria Theresa of Austria Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Maria Theresa

Born	(1717-05-13)May 13, 1717 Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Died	1780 Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Burial	3 December 1780 Imperial Crypt, Vienna
Spouse	Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Issue	Archduchess Maria Anna Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor Maria Christina, Duchess of Teschen Archduchess Maria Elisabeth Archduke Charles Joseph Maria Amalia, Duchess of Parma Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor Archduchess Maria Johanna Gabriela Archduchess Maria Josepha Maria Carolina, Queen of Naples and Sicily Ferdinand, Duke of Modena Marie Antoinette, Queen of France Archduke Maximilian Francis
Father	Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Mother	Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Maria Theresa of Austria (born May 13, 1717 – died November 29, 1780) was a very important ruler in European history. She was the only female leader of the powerful Habsburg family. She ruled as the Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and Archduchess of Austria. During her time, she made many big changes to her country. She also made her royal palace near Vienna look a lot like the famous Versailles palace in France. Vienna became a major center for arts and music. Maria Theresa made her government stronger and helped improve life for ordinary people, especially farmers. She is often known simply as the Empress Maria Theresa.

Who Was Maria Theresa?
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Who Was Maria Theresa?

Maria Theresa of Austria in 1772.

Maria Theresa was born in Vienna, Austria, on May 13, 1717. Her parents were Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. She grew up in a royal family and was prepared to rule.

Early Life and Family

Maria Theresa married Duke Francis Stephan I of Lorraine. They truly loved each other. Together, they had sixteen children! This was a very large family for any ruler.

Becoming a Powerful Ruler

When her father died, Maria Theresa became the ruler. This was a big challenge because many other European countries thought a woman should not rule. She had to fight wars to keep her lands. She showed great strength and determination during these difficult times.

Big Changes and Improvements

Maria Theresa was a very active ruler. She worked hard to make her country better. She made the government more organized and powerful. This helped her control her lands more easily.

Making Vienna a Center for Arts

Under Maria Theresa's rule, Vienna became a famous city for culture. Many artists, musicians, and thinkers came to Vienna. It became a place where new ideas and beautiful art flourished. She also made her royal palace, Schönbrunn, much grander.

Helping Ordinary People

Maria Theresa also cared about the common people. She worked to improve the lives of peasants, who were often very poor. She tried to make sure they were treated more fairly. This was quite unusual for rulers at that time.

Her Many Children

Maria Theresa had a very large family. Among her sixteen children, some became very famous. Her sons, Joseph II and Leopold II, both became Holy Roman Emperors after her. Her youngest daughter, Maria Antonia, became Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France.

Maria Theresa died in Vienna, Austria, on November 29, 1780. She was a powerful and respected ruler who left a lasting mark on European history.

Images for kids

Painting of three-year-old Maria Theresa in the gardens of Hofburg Palace
Archduchess Maria Theresa, by Andreas Möller
Maria Theresa's procession through the Graben, 22 November 1740. The pregnant queen is on way to hear High Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral before receiving homage.
Maria Theresa being crowned Queen of Hungary, St. Martin's Cathedral, Pressburg
Maria Theresa as the Queen of Hungary
Engraved by Gustav Adolph Müller after Martin van Mytens, the Younger, Maria Theresa of Austria, 1742, engraving
The Battle of Kolín, 1757
Maria Theresa with her family, 1754, by Martin van Meytens
Mural by Franz Anton Maulbertsch in the Hofburg, Innsbruck, commissioned by Maria Theresa in remembrance of her daughters who died in childhood: Maria Johanna (1750–1762), Maria Elisabeth (1737–1740), Maria Carolina (1740–1741) and Maria Carolina (1748–1748)
Maria Theresa and her family celebrating Saint Nicholas, by Archduchess Maria Christina, in 1762
Joseph, Maria Theresa's eldest son and co-ruler, in 1775, by Anton von Maron
Confirmation of Serbian Privileges, issued by Maria Theresa in 1743
Maria Theresa in 1762, by Jean-Étienne Liotard
Maria Theresa depicted on her Thaler
Maria Theresa as a widow in 1773, by Anton von Maron. Peace holds the olive crown above her head, reaffirming Maria Theresa's monarchical status. This was the last commissioned state portrait of Maria Theresa.
Maria Theresa and her husband are interred in the double tomb which she had inscribed as a widow.
Oath of allegiance ceremony of cabinet II of Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz in the Maria Theresa Room of the Hofburg palace (2020)
Hungarian President László Sólyom with U.S. President George W. Bush in the Maria Theresa Room of Sándor Palace (2006)