Born Maria Elizabeth Tollemache on 27 October 1809, she was the daughter of the Hon. Charles Tollemache and Gertrude Florinda Gardiner. On 20 August 1833 at Ham House, Petersham, Surrey, she married Sir Charles Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury, son of Sir Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury. She died at Ham House on 7 May 1893 at the age of 83, and was buried at Petersham in Surrey.