Figure from the Museum of Ventura County collection.

One of the handful of strong women who dominated politics in the 18th century.

Empress Maria Theresa of Austria (1717-1780; reigned 1740-1780) was one of Europe’s strongest rulers during the eighteenth century. Her daughter, Maria Antonia (Marie Antoinette), was one of sixteen children. Her administration kept the Empire together and she maintained her power in a man’s world, reigning jointly with her son Joseph II while fighting off attacks by Fredrick II of Prussia.

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