Maria-Theresia

Maria-Theresia was a powerful and influential ruler of the Habsburg Empire from 1740 to 1780. She was the only female sovereign of the Habsburg dominions and worked to modernize government, improve education, and reform the military and economy. Her reign was marked by efforts to strengthen her empire amid European conflicts. Maria-Theresia also implemented administrative reforms that laid the groundwork for modern Austria. She was the mother of Marie Antoinette and played a key role in shaping Central European history during her time.