Maria of Austria - Definition and Overview

Maria of Austria (1505 – 1558) is also known variously as Mary, Marie or Maria of Hungary (after her marriage) of Austria (due to her country of origin) or "of Habsburg" acknowledging her powerful grandfather Maximilian I.

Born in Brussels, she was promised to the then unborn Louis II of Hungary, whom she married at age ten. Their joint portrait still exists. Both his robes and her alleged wedding dress are on display at the National Museum of Hungary.

Louis was killed in the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and the Hungarian crown through this marriage eventually passed to the Habsburgs.

Maria, who would not marry again, was established as the regent of the Netherlands by her brother in 1531. She remained on the post until after her brother's abdication in 1556.