in 1790, on the death of peter leopold's childless brother, joseph ii, maria luisa's husband inherited the habsburg lands in central europe, and was shortly thereafter elected holy roman emperor. taking the name of leopold ii, the new emperor moved his family to vienna, where maria luisa took on the role of imperial consort. leopold died scarcely two years later, dying on 1 march 1792. maria luisa followed her husband to the grave in less than three months, not living long enough to see her eldest son francis elected as the last holy roman emperor.