Empress Maria Louisa was born on December 12, 1791, in Vienna, Austria. She was the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II and Maria Theresa. In 1810, she married Napoleon Bonaparte, becoming the Empress of the French. Their union was politically motivated, aimed at strengthening ties between France and Austria. After Napoleon's defeat in 1814, Maria Louisa returned to Austria and was given the duchy of Parma. She ruled there until her death on December 17, 1847. Maria Louisa is remembered for her role in European politics during a tumultuous period and her efforts to maintain her family's legacy.