She was the daughter of George William, Elector of Brandenburg and Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate.

Upon the death of her spouse in 1663, he was succeeded by their son, William VII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel.

During her regency, she repaired the finances of the state, which had been drained during the Thirty Years' War, by raised taxes.

She kept the peace despite French expansionism until 1673, when she allied with her brother in Brandenburg against France.

During her last years as regent, she delayed her mandate to the dislike of her son until she was forced to hand over the regency in 1677.