Maria Ana of Austria
| Maria Anna of Austria | |||||
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| Queen consort of Portugal | |||||
| Tenure | 27 October 1708 – 31 July 1750 | ||||
| Born |
7 September 1683 Linz, Austria |
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| Died | 14 August 1754 (aged 70) Ribeira Palace, Lisbon, Portugal |
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| Spouse | João V of Portugal | ||||
| Issue |
Bárbara, Queen of Spain Pedro, Prince of Brazil José I Pedro III |
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| House | Habsburg | ||||
| Father | Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor | ||||
| Mother | Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg | ||||
| Signature |  |
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| Full name | |
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| Maria Anna Josepha |
Maria Anna of Austria (Maria Anna Josepha; 7 September 1683 – 14 August 1754) was an Archduchess of Austria and Queen consort of Portugal. She was also Regent of Portugal from 1742 until 1750 during the illness of her husband King John V of Portugal.
Born Maria Anna Josepha, she was a daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I and Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg. Maria Anna was a sister of Holy Roman Emperors Joseph I and Charles VI. Through her brother Charles, she was an aunt of Maria Theresa, Austria's first queen regnant.
On 27 October 1708 Maria Anna of Austria married John V, King of Portugal. She would cease to be the Queen Consort of Portugal on 31 July 1750, when her husband died. During her time as Queen Consort of Portugal, she acted as regent during times of her husband's illness.
Once she was head of her household, Maria Anna reformed her court and its customs to follow the traditions and costumes of the traditional Queens of Portugal. Her greatest influence on the court, and Portuguese nobility as a whole, was the increase of segregation between men and women, as well as between servants and masters. Like John, Maria Anna had an exubrant taste, and this was best shown in her famous parties. Often lasting several days, she would invite the nobility from all over the country and hold a magnificent festival, often in concurrence with a saintly holiday, though religion played a small part in her parties.
In 1742 Maria Anna took over power as regent after her husband suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralyzed. When John V died on 31 July 1750 she gave up power to their eldest son Joseph I of Portugal.
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