Empress Zita of Austria (1892–1989) was the last Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, known for her deep Catholic faith, resilience, and devotion to her family and people. Born into the Bourbon-Parma royal family, she was raised with a strong sense of duty and religious conviction. In 1911, she married Archduke Charles, who became Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary in 1916 during the turmoil of World War I. As Empress, Zita played an active role in state affairs, supporting her husband's peace efforts and charitable works while also caring for soldiers and war victims.

Following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Zita and Charles were forced into exile, enduring hardship as they sought to reclaim their throne. After Charles’s premature death in 1922, Zita, left with eight children, remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to raising them according to their Catholic beliefs. She lived in various countries, including Spain, Belgium, and the United States, before settling in Switzerland. Throughout her life, she remained a symbol of dignity, sacrifice, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In her later years, Zita continued to be a strong advocate for her husband’s beatification, emphasizing his dedication to peace and Christian leadership. Her own cause for beatification was opened in 2009.