Maria of Nassau was a member of the House of Nassau, born in 1560. She was the daughter of William the Silent, the founder of the Dutch Republic, and Anna of Saxony. Maria played a significant role in the political landscape of her time, particularly in the context of the Eighty Years' War, which was a conflict between the Dutch Republic and Spain. In 1577, Maria married John VI of Nassau-Dillenburg, strengthening the ties between the Nassau family and other noble houses. Throughout her life, she was known for her intelligence and political acumen, contributing to the governance and stability of her family's territories in the Netherlands.