Anna III, Abbess of Quedlinburg

Anna of Stolberg
Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg
Reign	1584-1601
Predecessor	Elisabeth II
Successor	Maria
Born	3 April 1565
Died	12 May 1601(1601-05-12) (aged 36)
House	Stolberg
Father	Henry of Stolberg
Mother	Elisabeth of Gleichen

Anna III, also known as Anna of Stolberg (3 April 1565 – 12 May 1601) was Princess-Abbess of Quedlinburg from 1584 until her death.

Anna was the daughter of Count Henry of Stolberg (1509–1572) and his wife, Elisabeth of Gleichen (died 1578).

Anna III was elected to succeed Elisabeth II, Abbess of Quedlinburg. The election of the new princess-abbess was confirmed by Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. She frequently confronted Quedlinburg city council and the city patron, Christian I, Elector of Saxony, and appealed to the Emperor for support.

Elector Christian I died in 1591 and was succeeded by Elector Christian II under the regency of Frederick William I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar. The Princess-Abbess selected Anne Margaret of Brunswick-Harburg as her coadjutrix but the Duke of Saxe-Weimar refused to consent as he wanted his own sister, Maria, to succeed Anna III.

Anna III died suddenly aged 36 after a walk. The official cause of her death was stroke. She was succeeded by her enemy's sister.