Empress Maria Theresa

Empress Maria Theresa was a powerful ruler of the Habsburg Empire from 1740 to 1780. She was the first woman to rule the Habsburg lands and worked to strengthen her realm through reforms in education, administration, and military organization. Despite challenges from neighboring countries, she maintained her territory and modernized her government. Maria Theresa also promoted arts and culture, supporting her empire’s stability and growth. Her leadership laid the groundwork for her son Joseph II's reforms and helped shape Central Europe's history during a time of frequent conflict.