Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina ( Maria Theresia [ maˈʁiːa teˈʁeːzi̯a ] 13 May 1717 -- 29 November 1780 ) was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg . She was the sovereign of Austria , Hungary , Croatia , Bohemia , Transylvania , Mantua , Milan , Lodomeria and Galicia , the Austrian Netherlands and Parma . Though she was expected to cede power to Francis and Joseph , both of whom were officially her co-rulers in Austria and Bohemia , Maria Theresa was the absolute sovereign who ruled with the counsel of her advisers .
Maria Theresa reigned over Spain.