 Immediately after her accession , a number of European sovereigns who had recognised Maria Theresa as heiress broke their promises ; Queen Elisabeth of Spain and Elector Charles Albert of Bavaria , married to Maria Theresa 's deprived cousin Maria Amalia and supported by Empress Wilhelmine Amalia , wanted portions of her inheritance . Maria Theresa secured the recognition of King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia , who hadn 't accepted the Pragmatic Sanction during her father 's lifetime , in November 1740 . 
