Pedro III was a King of Portugal who reigned from 1777 until his death in 1786. He was born on July 5, 1717, and was the son of King John V and Queen Maria Anna of Austria. His reign was marked by efforts to modernize the country and improve its economy, although he faced challenges such as political instability and the aftermath of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Pedro III was married to Queen Maria I, who succeeded him after his death. Together, they worked on various reforms, including education and agriculture. His reign is often seen as a transitional period in Portuguese history, bridging the gap between the absolute monarchy and the eventual constitutional monarchy.