Born 28 October 1667 at Benrath Palace near Düsseldorf, Maria Anna was the twelfth child of Philip William, ruler of the duchies of Berg and Jülich, and his wife, Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt.

His first wife, Marie Louise of Orléans died on 12 February 1689;[4] lack of an heir and concerns over his health meant his remarriage became a matter of urgency.

His mother and Queen Regent, Mariana of Austria, selected Maria Anna based on her family's history of fertility and their opposition to France.

In 1690, they supported Spain's entry into the Nine Years War, which proved a disastrous decision; the state declared bankruptcy in 1692 and by 1696, France occupied most of Catalonia.

[9] To offset this, she claimed to be pregnant on various occasions, and encouraged Charles to undergo treatments to increase his fertility, thus making it clear the failure to produce an heir was not her fault.

Joseph Ferdinand was replaced by Maria Anna's nephew, Archduke Charles, with Spanish possessions in Italy, the Netherlands and Northern Spain divided between France, Savoy and Austria.

When the committee set up to review the case acquitted Díaz, Mendoza ordered their arrest, seriously undermining Maria Anna, who was viewed as the instigator.

[18] Charles fell ill once again in late 1700 and by 28 September he was no longer able to eat and Portocarrero persuaded him to alter his will in favour of Louis XIV's grandson, Philip of Anjou.