Maria Teresa of Austria

Maria Theresa of Austria was a prominent 18th-century ruler who reigned over the Habsburg Empire from 1740 to 1780. As the first woman to hold the throne in her own right, she strengthened the empire’s administration, reformed education, and modernized the military. Her leadership faced numerous wars, especially against Prussia, and she was a skilled diplomat. Maria Theresa also worked to improve the lives of her subjects, promoting economic growth and social reforms. Her legacy includes consolidating the Habsburg territories and laying foundations for future reforms under her successors.