Her Imperial Majesty The Holy Roman Empress

October 20, 1740, Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia upon the death of her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

Maria Theresa (Vienna, May 13, 1717 – November 29, 1780 in Vienna) was the first and only ruling Empress of the Habsburg dynasty. She was Archduchess of Austria, and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia and ruler of other territories from 1740 until her death. She also became the Holy Roman Empress when her husband was elected Holy Roman Emperor. She was one of the so-called "enlightened despots." She was one of the most powerful rulers of her time, ruling over much of central Europe.