Name Franz II, | ||
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Reign 25 July 1938 – 13 November 1989 Prime Ministers See listJosef HoopAlexander FrickGerard BatlinerAlfred HilbeWalter KieberHans Brunhart Issue Hans-Adam II, Prince of LiechtensteinPrince PhillippPrince NikolausPrincess Nora, Marchioness of MarinoPrince Wenzel Children Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein Parents Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria, Prince Aloys of Liechtenstein Similar People Hans‑Adam II - Prince of Liechtenstein, Alois - Hereditary Prince of, Marie - Princess of Liechtenstein, Countess Georgina von Wilcz, Prince Joseph Wenzel of | ||
Franz joseph ii prince of liechtenstein
Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein (Franz Josef Maria Aloys Alfred Karl Johannes Heinrich Michael Georg Ignaz Benediktus Gerhardus Majella; 16 August 1906 – 13 November 1989) was the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein from 1938 until his death.
Contents
- Franz joseph ii prince of liechtenstein
- Prince Of Liechtenstein 1970 1979
- World War II
- Marriage and children
- Final years
- Titles and styles
- National honour
- Foreign honours
- References
Franz Joseph was the son of Prince Aloys of Liechtenstein and Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria. He succeeded his childless grand-uncle, Prince Franz I, after his father renounced his right of succession in his favour in 1923.
During his reign women received voting rights for the first time, following a referendum on the topic (among men only) in 1984.
Franz Joseph was an extremely popular sovereign in Liechtenstein. He was the first ruling prince to live full-time in the principality. He also oversaw the economic development of Liechtenstein from a poor agricultural backwater into one of the richest countries (per capita) in the world.
Prince Of Liechtenstein (1970-1979)
World War II
Liechtenstein remained neutral throughout World War II, and its neutrality was not violated by any of the combatants.
Just before the end of the war the Prince granted political asylum for 494 First Russian National Army pro-Axis pro-emperor Vladimir White emigres led by General Boris Smyslovsky.
Marriage and children
On 7 March 1943, at Vaduz, Franz Joseph II married Countess Georgina von Wilczek (24 October 1921 – 18 October 1989). They had five children:
Final years
Franz Joseph handed over most of his powers to his son, Hans-Adam, on 26 August 1984. Franz Joseph II died on 13 November 1989, a mere twenty-six days after his wife. Ruling Liechtenstein for 51 years, he was among the longest-ruling sovereigns in Europe and the longest-serving national leaders in the world at the time of his death.