Quick Facts
Biography
Countess Maria Wilhelmina von Neipperg (later Princess of Auersperg) (30 April 1738 - 21 October 1775) was the mistress of Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor.
She was the daughter of Count Wilhelm Reinhard von Neipperg and Countess Maria Franziska Theresia von Khevenhüller-Frankenburg. Her father was the teacher and friend of Emperor Francis I. She appeared at the Imperial court in 1755. The Emperor soon became infatuated with the Countess. His wife, Maria Theresa of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, had born him 16 children by then and he began losing interest in her.
In April 1756, she married Johann Adam Joseph, Prince von Auersperg, but remained in a liaison with the Emperor until his death in 1765. The Prince and Princess of Auersperg had no children. Joachim Wilhelm von Brawe dedicated a tragedy to her.