Queen Maria II of Portugal was born on April 4, 1819, and became the queen regnant of Portugal in 1834 after a civil war known as the Liberal Wars. She was the daughter of King Pedro IV of Portugal and Maria Leopoldina of Austria. Her reign was marked by political instability and efforts to modernize the country. Maria II married Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1836, and they had several children. She worked to promote constitutional monarchy and social reforms. Maria II passed away on November 15, 1853, leaving a legacy as a significant figure in Portuguese history.