How long did Queen Elizabeth reign?

Queen Elizabeth reigned for 45 years, from 1558 to 1603. She was born in 1533 and was 25 at the time of her ascent to power; she reigned until her death at age 70.

Elizabeth succeeded her sister Mary on the throne and began her reign during a tumultuous time of religious strife, government debt and a lost war with France. She is sometimes accused of vanity, prejudice and miserliness, but she was overall a successful queen who led her country well.

Queen Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Before her rule, she was imprisoned as a threat to the throne.