Maria Leopoldina of Austria was born on January 22, 1797, in Vienna. She was a member of the Habsburg dynasty and the daughter of Emperor Francis II. In 1817, she married Dom Pedro I, the future Emperor of Brazil, and became the first Empress of Brazil. As Empress, Maria Leopoldina played a significant role in the early years of the Brazilian Empire. She supported her husband's efforts to establish a constitutional monarchy and was involved in various social and cultural initiatives. Maria Leopoldina passed away on December 11, 1826, leaving a lasting legacy in Brazilian history.