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Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress, Queen of Bohemia and Hungary, Archduchess of Austria (May 13, 1717–November 29, 1780). After Emperor Charles VII, who claimed the throne, died in 1745, Maria Theresa, his oldest daughter, obtained the imperial crown for her husband, Francis I. Though she was technically empress consort, Maria Theresa was the de facto ruler of the nation, and she began styling herself Holy Roman Empress in 1745. She had 16 children, with 11 daughters (all of whom had the first name "Maria") and five sons. Her youngest daughter was Maria Antonia, better known under her French name Marie Antoinette, who would be promised in marriage to the later King Louis XVI of France. After her husband's death, Maria Theresa made her son Joseph II co-regent of her Austrian dominions, but she actually kept most of the power to herself, which led to tension between her and her son. It was not until her death that Joseph could fully exercise his powers. Her sculpture can be found on the Maria-Theresien-Platz between the museums of natural and cultural history.
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