A very often requested Master of the Risk Universe figure is Queen Elizabeth II of England. She is one of the most famous women in the world. She has ruled the United Kingdom for an astonishing 68 years. And, for many, she is the symbol of serene resilience.

But, I’m gonna be honest, QE2 isn’t someone I would consider good at risk. She isn’t or wasn’t a reformer. At least, not like Queen Victoria or even her predecessor in name, Queen Elizabeth I. Her approach to risk is one of waiting for the risk to manifest, and then either responding by not responding, or responding by cleaning up the mess. Which is a strategy, I guess, but not one I consider to be particularly masterful.

But the requests did start to make me think about female rulers and monarchs who were masters of risk. And when it comes to those, I can’t go past the legendary, Holy Roman Empress, Maria Theresa of Austria. Now often better known for being the mother of the doomed Maria-Antoinette of France, Maria-Theresa was a risk maestro. In a world where women were often secondary players, Maria-Theresa defined what it meant to be a female ruler. And she defined what it meant to understand, and respond to, the unknown.

The Risktory Podcast is created, written, produced and hosted by Jacinthe A Galpin.

Soundtrack (sourced from www.freemusicarchive.org)
Alan Spiljak – Clouds
Alan Spiljak – Forgotten
Alan Spiljak – Light blue
Alan Spiljak – Empty days
Alan Spiljak – Stars above
Alan Spiljak – Not the end
Alan Spiljak – Sun
Alan Spiljak – Flying away
Alan Spiljak – Time
Alan Spiljak – Fantasy in my mind

Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Theresa#Reforms
https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/maria-theresa1717-1780
https://www.biography.com/activist/maria-theresa
https://www.dw.com/en/what-made-austrias-maria-theresa-a-one-of-a-kind-ruler/a-37935974