The term "Austrian Empress" typically refers to the female rulers of the Austrian Empire, particularly during the Habsburg dynasty. The most notable empress was Maria Theresa, who reigned from 1740 to 1780. She was the first and only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and implemented significant reforms in administration, education, and military organization. The title of empress was often associated with the broader Holy Roman Empire, where the emperor was usually male. The empress consort, such as Elisabeth of Austria, played important ceremonial roles and influenced politics through marriage alliances. The position symbolized both power and the complexities of dynastic politics in Europe.