Maria Theresa, known as the Holy Roman Empress, ruled over most of modern day European countries such as Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, and the Habsburg domains throughout her lifetime. She was born on May 13th, 1717. In 1736, at age 18 Maria Theresa and her beloved Duke Francis Stephen of Lorraine, France, were wed. As the eldest surviving child of  the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Maria wasn't to be expected to ever inherit her father's throne. But, her father and mother failed to produce any male children, causing Maria to be formally trained in states craft and arts of the government. After her father's death several neighboring Empires and Civilizations saw this as an opportunity to invade Maria's lands, only to be absolutely stunned by her intellect. Which ended up proving her mettle as an empress, doubling her Empire's income, and raising a large standing army. During her reign she would promote many reforms throughout her territory, and promote peace. Although Maria Theresa craved peace and promoted diplomacy, during the mother and son’s co-regency, the War of the Bavarian Succession broke out, lasting from 1778 to 1779. Maria Theresa died on November 29, 1780, at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria—where she had reigned for four decades—leaving behind a solid basis for future generations of the family empire. With her death, Joseph II assumed full responsibility as Holy Roman Emperor.