Mary of Burgundy was born on February 13, 1457, and became the Duchess of Burgundy after the death of her father, Charles the Bold, in 1477. She was a significant figure in European history, known for her role in uniting the Burgundian territories with the Habsburg dynasty through her marriage to Maximilian I. Mary's reign was marked by her efforts to maintain her father's legacy and manage the complex political landscape of her time. Her marriage to Maximilian I helped strengthen the Habsburg influence in Europe, paving the way for future alliances and the eventual rise of the Habsburg Empire.