Francesca von Habsburg
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| Francesca von Habsburg | |
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| Born | June 7, 1958 Lausanne, Switzerland |
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| Title | Princess Imperial and Archduchess of Austria, Princess Royal of Hungary and Bohemia |
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Francesca von Habsburg (born 7 June 1958) is an art collector and the wife of Karl Habsburg-Lothringen heir to the headship of the House of Habsburg.
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[edit] Life
She was born as Francesca Anne Dolores Freiin von Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva in Lausanne the daughter of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and his third wife Fiona Frances Elaine Campbell-Walter. She was educated at Le Rosey in Switzerland[1] and at the age of eighteen attended the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design but left after two years. After leaving the college she worked as an actress, singer and model[2] Her partying lifestyle in London in the 1980s earned her reputation as an It girl.[1] For the ten years after she left Saint Matins college she lived in England, New York and Los Angeles before moving to Lugano to become curator for her father's art collection.[3]
During the Yugoslav wars Francesca visited the country to help protect the countries heritage and artworks[1] and to help restore churches and paintings damaged during the fighting.[2]
Francesca is now a leading figure in the art world and regularly attends the major biennales and international art fairs[1] and has built up her own art collection with over three hundred pieces of contemporary video and digital art.[3]
[edit] Personal life
Francesca who has previously been in relationships with Steve Strange and Dodi Al-Fayed[1] married the heir to Habsburg family Archduke Karl in Mariazell on 31 January 1993. They have three children.
- Archduchess Eleonore of Austria (born February 28, 1994)
- Archduke Ferdinand Zvonimir of Austria (born June 21, 1997)
- Archduchess Gloria of Austria (born October 15, 1999)
Francesca and Karl are currently separated.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Byrnes, Sholto. "Francesca von Habsburg: The It-girl who became an empress", The Independent, 2006-06-18. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
- ^ a b c Milner, Catherine. "'It's like an invasion - without rape and pillage'", Daily Telegraph, 2006-05-13, pp. 1. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
- ^ a b Milner, Catherine. "'It's like an invasion - without rape and pillage'", Daily Telegraph, 2006-05-13, pp. 2. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
