Archduchess Maria of Austria (15 May 1531 – 11 December 1581) was the daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor from the House of Habsburg and Anna of Bohemia and Hungary.

She was described as "small" for her age as well as "almost intelligent",[1] well-mannered and attractive, despite having inherited the facial features characteristic of the Habsburgs.

Letters from her husband from the year 1560 bear witness to the tender relationship of the two, as well as Maria's supposed mental infirmity.

According to a diplomat who visited the court of William the following year, Maria had doubts about the legality of her own marriage due to her husband's forceful union with Jeanne d'Albret, which made her mentally disturbed at the time.

The theory that the princess was sickly and therefore not a part of court life as well as the fact that she gave birth to six children in eight years might have taxed her already frail health and psyche and pushed her into mental confusion.