Indelible legacy of a remarkable woman
Surviving smallpox and advocating inoculation in the 1700s, Maria Theresa left her mark on history, writes Amanda Hardy
Mmarked the 300th birthday anniversary of Maria Theresa, the only woman to rule the Hapsburg Empire over its 650-year reign.
She was a remarkable woman. The mother of another famous queen, Marie Antoinette, and instrumental in getting inoculation widely accepted in Austria (among other achievements), she was a force to be reckoned with.
Uniworld cruises named a ship after her and decorated it in her honour.
Known for being one of Europe’s most beloved and longest-reigning monarchs, Maria Theresa’s 300th birthday is celebrated this year. Among her many titles, she was also known as the Dowager Empress of the Romans, the Grand Princess of Transylvania and the Queen of Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia and Croatia.
Maria Theresa was responsible for many reformations in her kingdom. Under her rule the economy, the army and even education was modernised.
She was also mother to 16 children, 10 of whom survived to adulthood, including that other well-known queen, Marie Antoinette.
In the 1760s, smallpox claimed several victims in the royal family. Maria Theresa herself was not spared and the infection was so bad that she had her last rites in 1767.
She recovered but the experience led her to become an avid supporter of inoculation (an immunisation method that preceded smallpox vaccination).
She set a strong example by requiring all of her own children to be inoculated, breaking down barriers among doctors who viewed inoculation with scepticism.
To celebrate this success, she hosted a dinner for the first 65 children who were inoculated.
This party was held at the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and Maria Theresa herself waited on the children.
The influence of Maria Theresa’s reign was huge, with much of her legacy still intact today.