Who was Maria Theresa of Spain? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

French Celebrities Born In September, Spanish Celebrities Born In September

Also Known As: Marie-Thérèse of Austria, María Teresa de Austria y Borbón

Died At Age: 44

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Louis XIV of France (m. 1660)

father: Philip IV of Spain

mother: Elisabeth of France

siblings: Charles II of Spain

children: Louis François; Duke of Anjou, Louis; Grand Dauphin, Marie Thérèse of France (1667–1672), Philippe Charles; Duke of Anjou, Princess Anne Élisabeth of France, Princess Marie Anne of France

Born Country: Spain

Empresses & Queens French Men

Died on: July 30, 1683

place of death: Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France

Ancestry: Austrian Spanish

Recommended For You

1

What were some of the major accomplishments of Maria Theresa of Spain?

Maria Theresa of Spain was known for her efforts in promoting education and culture, as well as for her support of the arts and sciences.
2

How did Maria Theresa of Spain contribute to the economic development of her country?

Maria Theresa of Spain implemented various economic reforms aimed at boosting trade and industry, which helped stimulate economic growth during her reign.
3

What role did Maria Theresa of Spain play in international diplomacy during her time as queen?

Maria Theresa of Spain played a significant role in international diplomacy, forging alliances and negotiating treaties to secure the interests of her country.
4

How did Maria Theresa of Spain handle political challenges during her reign?

Maria Theresa of Spain demonstrated strong leadership skills in handling political challenges, often using diplomacy and negotiation to maintain stability and peace within her realm.
5

What was the impact of Maria Theresa of Spain's reign on the cultural and intellectual landscape of her country?

Maria Theresa of Spain's reign was marked by a flourishing of culture and intellectual pursuits, with many artists, writers, and scholars finding support and patronage under her rule.

Recommended Lists:

French Business People

Childhood & Early Life

Maria Theresa of Spain was born on September 10, 1638, at the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, Spain, to King Philip IV and Elisabeth of France. When she was just six years old, she lost her mother, and within two years, her older brother Balthasar Charles also died.

Maria Theresa had a very lonely childhood. After her mother died, her father married her cousin who was just four years older than Maria.

As a member of The House of Habsburg, Maria Theresa held the title of Archduchess of Austria.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Heir to the Spanish Throne

Maria Theresa was born as an ‘infanta’, a title given to the sons and daughters of the Spanish king regardless of age. When her brother Balthasar Charles died in 1646, just two years after their mother’s death, Maria Theresa became the heir to the Spanish throne.

When King Philip IV and his second wife, Mariana of Austria, had their son Philip Prospero in 1657, he became the lawful heir to the throne in place of Maria Theresa. However, when Prince Phillip died at the age of four in 1661, Maria Theresa once again became the heir to the throne until Charles II was born in November 1661.

Recommended Lists:

French Sportspersons

French Poets

French Artists & Painters

French Spiritual & Religious Leaders

Marriage and becoming the Queen of France

The ongoing war between France and Spain started to wind down in the late 1650s as none of the countries could afford to stretch it anymore. French Prime Minister Cardinal Mazarin tried to tie the Houses of France and Savoy by proposing a marriage between the King of France and Margaret Yolande, Princess of Savoy.

The news of the proposed partnership between the two houses irked King Philip IV, who felt the union would make him and his kingdom weaker. King Philip IV intervened and sent a delegation to the French court proposing arrangements of a royal wedding to start a new allegiance between France and Spain.

The negotiations stretched long and were not easy for both parties. It was proposed that Maria Theresa leave everything behind, including her claim to the Spanish throne. Her future children would also not have any claim to the same.

French Prime Minister Cardinal Mazarin and his diplomats weren’t easy to negotiate with. They eventually managed to fix a deal which demanded a large dowry to be given to Maria Theresa. However, Spain could never pay the proposed dowry due to the huge losses it had suffered in the war.

Theresa and her father along with the Spanish court met King Louis XIV and his court in ‘The Meeting on the Isle of Pheasants’ on June 7, 1660. Two days later, the couple, who were double cousins, got married in Saint-Jean-de-Luz at the church of Saint-Jean the Baptist.

Breaking the tradition, Anne of Austria, the mother of King Louis XIV, arranged a private consummation (a public consummation was a custom during that time).

Recommended Lists:

French Political Leaders

French Economists

French Mathematicians

French Astronomers

Life as a devoted Wife and Mother

King Louis brought his newlywed wife Maria Theresa to Paris, and was very fond of her in the beginning. Theresa also found a mother figure in her mother-in-law (who was also her aunt). She was a devoted wife and a caring daughter-in-law.

Continue Reading Below

Queen Maria Theresa would spend a great deal of time with her mother-in-law as both of them were very pious and fond of each other. She never showed any interest in politics or governance. Often, Maria Theresa was seen as an unfit queen by the people due to her negligence towards the royal responsibilities.

Maria Theresa gave birth to Louis, Grand Dauphin, on November 1, 1661. She was very protective of her son and took great interest in his education and upbringing.

She gave birth to two more children, Anne-Élisabeth of France and Marie-Anne of France, in the next three years. However, both of them died within a few days of their birth.

On January 2, 1667, the royal couple welcomed their fourth child, Marie-Thérèse of France, who was also known as la Petite Madame. In the ensuing years, she gave birth to Philippe Charles, Duke of Anjou, and Louis François, Duke of Anjou. Unfortunately, all three of these children died young. Ultimately, the only child she was survived by was her eldest.

Though King Louis showed great affection towards his wife in the first year of their marriage, he started to have multiple affairs soon. Despite being the queen, Maria Theresa never questioned her husband. King Louis was infamous for his affairs and his many mistresses, especially Françoise-Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan.

Recommended Lists:

French Physicists

French Physicians

French Revolutionaries

French Singers

Death

In late July 1683, Maria Theresa fell gravely ill. The king arranged for the sacraments to be kept close as her health worsened by the day. She suffered great pain in the last few days of her life and passed away on July 30, 1683.

Recommended Lists:

Facts About Maria Theresa of Spain

Maria Theresa of Spain was known for her love of music and often played the guitar and harp herself, showcasing her artistic talents.

She was a devoted patron of the arts, supporting numerous artists, musicians, and writers during her reign.

Maria Theresa was a skilled equestrian and enjoyed horseback riding as a favorite pastime.

She had a deep interest in science and astronomy, often engaging in discussions with leading intellectuals of her time.

Maria Theresa was known for her compassionate nature and philanthropic efforts, establishing charitable institutions to help the less fortunate in her kingdom.

Recommended Lists:

French Business Women

French Film & Theater Personalities

French Actresses