Maria Amalia of Austria was born on February 26, 1746, in Vienna, Austria. She was the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I. Maria Amalia became the Duchess of Parma through her marriage to Ferdinand of Bourbon in 1769, strengthening ties between the Habsburgs and the Bourbon family. As a duchess, Maria Amalia played a significant role in the cultural and political life of her region. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her efforts to improve the administration of her duchy. Maria Amalia passed away on May 18, 1804, leaving a lasting legacy in Parma.