Franz I. Stephan von Lothringen

Franz I. Stephan von Lothringen (1708-1765) was the Holy Roman Emperor and the husband of Maria Theresa, the first female ruler of the Habsburg Empire. Their marriage in 1736 was a love match, which was quite rare for the time, and together they had sixteen children. Franz I. played a significant role in supporting Maria Theresa's reforms during her reign, which included notable changes in education and legal practices. He is remembered as a key figure in the Habsburg dynasty and was eventually buried alongside Maria Theresa in the Capuchin Crypt in Vienna, following elaborate funeral traditions that reflect the grandeur and significance of their union.