Maria Anna of Bavaria (born 1574)

Maria Anna of Bavaria (21 March 1574 – 8 March 1616) was a princess of Bavaria by birth and Archduchess of Inner Austria by marriage. She was the daughter of William V, Duke of Bavaria, and Renata of Lorraine.

In 1600, Maria Anna married Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (then Archduke Ferdinand of Inner Austria). This marriage produced seven children, including Emperor Ferdinand III. The marriage was considered politically advantageous for Ferdinand, strengthening his position within the Catholic League and securing Bavarian support during the turbulent years leading up to the Thirty Years' War.

Maria Anna was known for her piety and devotion to the Catholic faith. She played a role in the Counter-Reformation efforts in the Habsburg lands, supporting the Jesuit order and promoting Catholic education. She died in Graz at the age of 41, predeceasing her husband who would later become Holy Roman Emperor. Her descendants went on to rule the Habsburg Empire for centuries.