Princess Maria Theresa of Austria was born on July 13, 1717, and was the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. She became the first and only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions after her father’s death in 1740. Her reign marked significant political changes and challenges, including the War of the Austrian Succession. Maria Theresa is known for her reforms in education, military, and taxation, which modernized her empire. She married Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, and together they had 16 children, including Marie Antoinette, who became the Queen of France. Maria Theresa's legacy continues to influence European history.