Countess Maria Karolina von Fuchs-Mollard died on 27 April 1754. Although not related to the Habsburgs by blood, she appears in the family calendar due to her close relationship with Maria Theresa.
In her youth, Countess Fuchs-Mollard began her court career as a lady-in-waiting to an archduchess. For a period of ten years, she withdrew into private life as a wife and mother. After being widowed from Count Fuchs, she returned to court and was appointed governess to the next generation of archduchesses — young Maria Theresa and her sisters.
All contemporary sources unanimously claim that Countess Fuchs-Mollard formed extraordinarily close and cordial relationships with her young wards. Maria Theresa lovingly called her Mami and Fuchsin (“little fox”), and virtually regarded her as a substitute mother. The Countess oversaw the future empress’s education and became her trusted confidante. When a dynastic marriage was considered for Maria Theresa, she supported the young princess’s own choice — Francis Stephan of Lorraine — over politically more advantageous unions. She facilitated their correspondence and arranged secret meetings for the lovers. After Maria Theresa’s accession, the Countess was appointed Obersthofmeisterin, or Chief Mistress of the Court, overseeing all the female members of the imperial household.
As a final honour for her governess’s lifelong affection and loyalty, Maria Theresa had her buried in the Habsburg family crypt in the Capuchin Church in Vienna.
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