| Francis Joseph II | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Liechtenstein | |
| Franz Joseph II official portrait | |
| Reign | 25 July 1938 – 13 November 1989 (51 years, 111 days) |
| Predecessor | Franz I |
| Successor | Hans-Adam II |
| Spouse | Countess Georgina von Wilczek |
| Issue | |
| Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein Prince Phillipp Prince Nikolaus Princess Nora Prince Franz Joseph |
|
| House | House of Liechtenstein |
| Father | Prince Aloys of Liechtenstein |
| Mother | Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria |
| Born | 16 August 1906 Schloss Frauenthal, Styria, Austria |
| Died | 13 November 1989 (aged 83) Grabs, Switzerland |
| Burial | St. Florian Cathedral, Vaduz, Liechtenstein |
Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein, (Franz Joseph Maria Aloys Alfred Karl Johannes Heinrich Michael Georg Ignaz Benediktus Gerhardus Majella), (16 August 1906, Schloss Frauenthal, Styria, Austria – 13 November 1989, Grabs, Switzerland) was the Sovereign Prince of Liechtenstein from 1938 until his death. His full title was Fürst von und zu Liechtenstein, Herzog von Troppau und Jägerndorf, Graf zu Rietberg.
He was the son of Prince Aloys of Liechtenstein and his wife Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria (daughter of Archduke Karl Ludwig). He succeeded his childless cousin, Prince Franz I, after his father renounced his right of succession in his favour in 1921.
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.
He was the 1,240th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria.
Contents |
Liechtenstein remained neutral throughout World War II, and its neutrality was never violated by any of the combatants. However, two factors have linked the Liechtensteinian State to the Axis cause:
On 7 March 1943, at Vaduz, Franz Joseph II married Georgine ("Gina") Countess of Wilczeck (24 October 1921 – 18 October 1989). They had five children:
Franz Joseph handed over most of his powers to his son, Hans-Adam, in 1984. Franz Joseph II died on 13 November 1989, a mere twenty-six days after his wife. Ruling Liechtenstein for 51 years, he was the longest-ruling sovereign in Europe at the time of his death.
|
Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Born: 16 August 1906 Died: 13 November 1989 |
||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Franz I |
Prince of Liechtenstein 1938–1989 |
Succeeded by Hans-Adam II |