Maria Theresa was ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position suo jure. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Mantua, Milan, Galicia and Lodomeria, the Austrian Netherlands, and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.
Portrait by Martin van Meytens, 1759
Painting of three-year-old Maria Theresa within the gardens of Hofburg Palace
Archduchess Maria Theresa, by Andreas Möller
Maria Theresa in 1730, by Venetian painter, Rosalba Carriera.
The Habsburg monarchy, also known as Habsburg Empire, or Habsburg Realm, was the collection of empires, kingdoms, duchies, counties and other polities that were ruled by the House of Habsburg. From the 18th century it is also referred to as the Danubian monarchy or the Austrian monarchy.
Silver medallion depicting King Rudolf I with his sons Albert and Rudolf II at the Diet of Augsburg, which laid the foundation of the House of Habsburg. Work by Anton Scharff for the 600th anniversary of the constitution of the Erblande, 1882.
Growth of the Habsburg monarchy in central Europe
Coronation of Maria Theresa in Pressburg, Kingdom of Hungary, 1741
Europa regina, symbolizing a Habsburg-dominated Europe