Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria Theresa |
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Portrait by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, 1790
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| Holy Roman Empress | |||||
| Tenure | 5 July 1792 – 6 August 1806 | ||||
| Queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia Archduchess consort of Austria |
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| Tenure | 1 March 1792 - 13 April 1807 | ||||
| Coronation | 11 August 1793, Prague | ||||
| Empress consort of Austria | |||||
| Tenure | 11 August 1804 – 13 April 1807 | ||||
| Born | 6 June 1772 Royal Palace, Naples, Kingdom of Naples |
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| Died | 13 April 1807 (aged 34) Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austrian Empire |
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| Burial | Imperial Crypt | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
| Issue Among others.. |
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| House | Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||
| Father | Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies | ||||
| Mother | Maria Carolina of Austria | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily (born June 6, 1772 – died April 13, 1807) was an important royal figure in European history. She became the first Empress of Austria and the last Holy Roman Empress. She held these titles because she was married to Francis II. Maria Theresa was born a princess in Naples, the oldest daughter of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and Queen Maria Carolina.
Contents
Life of Maria Theresa
Early Years
Maria Theresa Carolina Giuseppina was born on June 6, 1772, at the Royal Palace of Naples. She was the first child of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and Queen Maria Carolina. Her mother especially loved her from the moment she was born. Maria Theresa was named after her famous grandmother, Empress Maria Theresa.
As a young princess, Maria Theresa received a good education. She learned many subjects, including French, math, geography, and music. She also had lessons in dancing and drawing.
Her Marriage
In 1790, a royal marriage was planned for Maria Theresa. Her cousin, Archduke Francis, needed a new wife after his first wife passed away. Maria Theresa and her sister, Luisa, were both considered. In the end, Maria Theresa was chosen to marry Francis. This marriage followed a long tradition of the Habsburg family, who often married into other royal families.
On September 15, 1790, when she was 18, Princess Maria Theresa married Archduke Francis. He would later become the Holy Roman Emperor in 1792. Then, in 1804, he became the first Emperor of Austria. Their marriage was described as a happy one. They understood each other well, even though they had different personalities. Francis was often quiet and serious, preferring a simple life. Maria Theresa, however, was lively and enjoyed social events. She had blue eyes and blonde hair.
Maria Theresa quickly got used to her new home in Vienna. She enjoyed court life and loved dancing, especially the Waltz, which was a new and popular dance at the time. She even danced while she was pregnant!
On December 12, 1791, Maria Theresa and Francis had their first child, Marie Louise. Marie Louise was taught many languages, including French, English, Spanish, Italian, and Latin, in addition to her native German. She later married Emperor Napoleon, which was a very important event during the wars with France.
Becoming Empress
In 1792, Maria Theresa's husband, Francis, became the King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. This made Maria Theresa their queen. In the same year, she also became the Holy Roman Empress.
Empress Maria Theresa was interested in politics. She became an important adviser to her husband, Francis, and had some influence on state matters. She held traditional views and was against King Napoleon. She encouraged Francis to take a strong stand against France during the Napoleonic Wars.
Maria Theresa also loved music. She supported many musicians in Vienna and asked them to write new pieces for royal events and private gatherings. For example, Joseph Haydn wrote his Te Deum for her. She especially liked the music of Paul Wranitzky and Joseph Leopold Eybler.
Her Death
In the winter of 1806, Empress Maria Theresa was pregnant with her twelfth child. She became very ill with a lung infection. Sadly, she gave birth too early, and the baby girl died just a few days later. Maria Theresa herself passed away on April 13, 1807, at the age of 34, due to complications from the childbirth.
Her husband, Emperor Francis, was heartbroken. He was so sad that he had to be gently taken away from her side. Maria Theresa was buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna, a special burial place for members of the royal family. Her heart and other organs were buried in separate crypts, a tradition for some Habsburg royals.
Her Children
| Children of Maria Theresa of Naples and Sicily | ||||
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| Name | Picture | Birth | Death | Notes |
| By Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor | ||||
| Archduchess Marie Louise |  |
12 December 1791 | 17 December 1847 (aged 56) | Married Emperor Napoleon I of France, had children. Later married two more times. |
| Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria |  |
19 April 1793 | 29 June 1875 (aged 82) | Married Maria Anna of Savoy. |
| Archduchess Maria Caroline | 8 June 1794 | 16 March 1795 (aged 0) | Died as a baby. | |
| Archduchess Caroline Ludovika | 22 December 1795 | 30 June 1797 (aged 1) | Died as a young child. | |
| Archduchess Caroline Josepha Leopoldine |  |
22 January 1797 | 11 December 1826 (aged 29) | Married Pedro I of Brazil, had children. |
| Archduchess Maria Clementina Franziska Josepha |  |
1 March 1798 | 3 September 1881 (aged 83) | Married her uncle Leopold, Prince of Salerno, had children. |
| Archduke Joseph Franz Leopold |  |
9 April 1799 | 30 June 1807 (aged 8) | Died a few weeks after his mother. |
| Archduchess Marie Caroline |  |
8 April 1801 | 22 May 1832 (aged 31) | Married Crown Prince Frederick Augustus II of Saxony. |
| Archduke Franz Karl |  |
17 December 1802 | 8 March 1878 (aged 75) | Father of Franz Joseph I of Austria and Maximilian I of Mexico. |
| Archduchess Marie Anna |  |
8 June 1804 | 28 December 1858 (aged 54) | Had learning difficulties and a facial difference. Never married. |
| Archduke Johann Nepomuk | 30 August 1805 | 19 February 1809 (aged 3) | Died as a young child. | |
| Archduchess Amalie Theresa | 6 April 1807 | 9 April 1807 (aged 0) | Died as a baby. | |
See also
In Spanish: María Teresa de las Dos Sicilias para niños
