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Maria Theresa of Austria

Hofburg Palace, 13 May 1717 – Vienna, 29 Nov 1780

12 facts3 sources

Animated by AI

About Maria

Maria Theresa of Austria: Sovereign of the Habsburg Dominions

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Maria Theresa’s birth in 1717 at Hofburg Palace, although the date is listed as probable. She was the daughter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. 123

Maria Theresa ruled the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780 and was the only woman to hold that position in her own right. She held the offices of Queen of Hungary and Queen of Bohemia, with both titles recorded for 1740–1780. 456

Her recorded union was with Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. The collection records her death in 1780 in Vienna, with the precise date carrying a probable confidence rating. 78

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born13 May 1717, Hofburg Palacenot verified1 source
  • MarriedFrancis I, Holy Roman Emperornot verified1 source
  • TitlePrince-Electoror Apostolic King of Hungary, 1740–1780 · King of Bohemia, 1740–1780not verified1 source
  • TitleApostolic King of Hungary, 1740–1780or King of Bohemia, 1740–1780 · Prince-Electornot verified1 source
  • TitleKing of Bohemia, 1740–1780or Apostolic King of Hungary, 1740–1780 · Prince-Electornot verified1 source
  • Died29 Nov 1780, Viennanot verified1 source
  • FatherCharles VI, Holy Roman Emperornot verified1 source
  • MotherElisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttelnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 13 May 1717

    Born in Hofburg Palace

  2. 1737–1756

    16 children are born

  3. 1740–1780

    Apostolic King of Hungary

  4. 1740–1780

    King of Bohemia

  5. 29 Nov 1780

    Dies in Vienna, aged 63

Family

See the tree

Parents

Partner

Children · 16

During her lifetime

She lived through 8 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Hofburg Palace.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1710s · Maria is born in Hofburg Palace

In the news1713–1714

Last major plague epidemic of 1713-1714

A severe plague epidemic, the last in the region, struck the archduchy from January 1713 to February 1714, claiming approximately 8,000 lives in Vienna.

What people wore

Handkerchiefs served as essential purses

Men in the Habsburg lands often used tobacco handkerchiefs (Schnupftüchel) as small purses to carry money and tobacco, reflecting the widespread popularity of snuff.

Getting around

Travel times by carriage in the 1700s

In the 18th century, a 30-kilometer trip between St. Pölten and Melk took 5 to 7 hours, while a 115-kilometer journey to St. Florian took 20 to 28 hours.

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.In Europe · 1701–1714

War of the Spanish Succession. Europe’s powers fought for thirteen years over who would inherit the Spanish throne; a Bourbon kept it, and Britain gained Gibraltar.

DavidDijkgraaf · CC0

In the news1719

Trieste and Rijeka declared free ports 1719

In 1719, Emperor Charles VI declared Trieste and Rijeka free ports to stimulate Mediterranean trade, despite significant geographical barriers that made land transport to the hinterland difficult.

Music

Violins replaced bagpipes in rural dances

In the early 18th century, rural dance music in Upper Austria was evolving from being dominated by bagpipes and hurdy-gurdies to incorporating the violin. This trend followed the influence of court and noble chapels, which the rural population often sought to emulate.

Daily life

Water access and cooking routines

Access to water was a daily chore requiring residents to fetch it from nearby pumps or neighborhood fountains. Cooking was a labor-intensive activity centered on iron pots and ceramic bowls, often performed in cramped, multi-purpose living areas.