Predecessor Johann II Name Franz Prince Father Alois II | House Liechtenstein Successor Franz Josef II | |
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Reign 11 February 1929 – 25 July 1938 Born 28 August 1853
Schloss Liechtenstein, near Vienna ( 1853-08-28 ) Burial Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Brno Died July 25, 1938, Valtice, Czech Republic Spouse Elisabeth von Gutmann (m. 1929) Parents Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein Siblings Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein Grandparents Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, Landgravine Josepha of Furstenberg-Weitra Similar People Elisabeth von Gutmann, Karl I - Prince of Liechtenstein, Princess Henriette of Liechtenstein, Prince Joseph Wenzel of, Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechte | ||
Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein, born Franz de Paula Maria Karl August (28 August 1853 – 25 July 1938), was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1929 and 1938.
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Early life
He was the younger son of Aloys II of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Franziska Kinsky. Franz succeeded his older brother Johann II, as Prince of Liechtenstein on February 11, 1929.
Career
Franz I served as the Austro-Hungarian ambassador at the Court of Tsar Nicholas II in St. Petersburg between 1894 and 1899. As Prince of Liechtenstein, he continued the economic reforms initiated by his brother.
He was the 1,204th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria.
Succession
Like his brother Johann II, Franz I had no children. His nephew Prince Aloys was heir presumptive, but Aloys removed himself from the line of succession in favor of his son, Franz Josef, in 1923.
In March 1938 the elderly Franz I named Franz Joseph the country's regent. Although he cited old age as his reason for relinquishing his duties, it is widely believed that it was because he had no desire to be ruling if Nazi Germany invaded his small Principality. Franz I died on 25 July 1938, and was formally succeeded by his grandnephew, Franz Joseph II.
Personal life
On 22 July 1929, Franz I married Elisabeth von Gutmann (8 January 1875, in Vienna – 28 September 1947, in Vitznau), a noblewoman of Jewish descent, in Vienna, without issue.
In 1937, on the anniversary of his marriage, Franz founded the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein.