Karl von Habsburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karl von Habsburg
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Habsburg-Lothringen in 2022
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| Member of the European Parliament for Austria | |
| In office 1996–1999 |
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| Head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine | |
| Assumed office 1 January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Otto von Habsburg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 January 1961 Starnberg, Bavaria, West Germany |
| Political party | Austrian People's Party |
| Spouses |
Francesca von Thyssen-Bornemisza
(m. 1993; div. 2017)Christian Nicolau de Almeida Reid
(m. 2022) |
| Children | 3, including Eleonore and Ferdinand |
| Parents |
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Karl von Habsburg (born 11 January 1961) is an Austrian politician. He is also the current head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. This family was once the royal family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In Austria, his legal name is Karl Habsburg-Lothringen.
Karl is the son of Otto von Habsburg and Regina von Sachsen-Meiningen. He is also the grandson of Charles I, the last Austro-Hungarian emperor. Karl is the head of the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece.
From 1996 to 1999, Karl Habsburg was a member of the European Parliament for the Austrian People's Party. He strongly supports the idea of a united Europe. He also works to protect important cultural heritage sites. These sites are often in danger from wars or natural disasters. From 2008 to 2020, he led Blue Shield International, an organization that protects culture.
Contents
Who is Karl von Habsburg?
Early Life and Family Background
Karl Habsburg was born on 11 January 1961 in Starnberg, Bavaria, which was then in West Germany. He was baptized as Archduke Karl of Austria.
When he was born, his father, Otto von Habsburg, did not have a country to call his own. His mother was a German citizen. For his first few years, Karl and his family were not allowed in Austria. But in 1966, an Austrian court allowed them to return.
Understanding Habsburg Family Titles
In 1961, Karl's father, Otto von Habsburg, gave up all claims to the old Austrian throne. This was a legal step needed for the family to return to Austria. Karl does not use old royal titles like "Archduke." In Austria and Hungary, it is against the law to use such titles.
Karl explains that he is not vain about titles. He says people use them out of respect for his family's history. Even though these titles were abolished in 1919, some media outside Austria still use them.
In 2007, Karl's father stepped down as the head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. Karl then took on this role. In 2008, he also became the Grand Master of the Order of Saint George. As head of the family, Karl attends many cultural and historical events. He also supports various groups and military units.
Education and Learning
From 1982 to 1989, Karl Habsburg studied law, philosophy, and political science at the University of Salzburg in Austria. During this time, he also spent a year studying in the United States. Later, in 2012, he earned advanced degrees in business and law.
Karl von Habsburg's Career
Military Service and Leadership
In 1981, Karl Habsburg joined the Austrian Armed Forces. He served as a platoon commander and later trained as a pilot. He is now a reserve captain in the Austrian Air Force. He also works as an officer protecting cultural property for the Austrian Army. Since 2001, he has been the President of the European Military Paratroopers Association.
Working for Europe
Since 1986, Karl Habsburg has led the Austrian branch of the Paneuropean Union. This group helped organize the Pan-European Picnic, a famous event that helped bring down the Iron Curtain. In 1990, he led an aid convoy to Vilnius, Lithuania. This was to help after the Soviet Union blocked supplies. In 1991, he organized aid for Dubrovnik and other parts of the former Yugoslavia during conflicts.
Member of European Parliament
In October 1996, Karl Habsburg was elected to the European Parliament (MEP). He represented Austria as a member of the Austrian People's Party.
Protecting Cultural Heritage
From 2008 to 2020, Karl Habsburg was the President of Blue Shield International. This organization works to protect cultural sites around the world. He strongly supported creating a "No Strike List" of cultural sites. This list helps protect important places during wars or military actions.
Habsburg believes that military and civilian groups should work together to protect cultural sites. He has worked with groups like UNIFIL and UNESCO. He also works with the International Committee of the Red Cross. After the huge explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2020, he helped with rebuilding efforts.
Since 2010, he has led an advisory board at the University of Vienna. This board focuses on protecting cultural heritage. He often gives talks around the world about the military's role in protecting culture. He stresses that it's important to act quickly in conflict areas to help protect these sites.
Media and Business Work
In 1992 and 1993, Karl Habsburg hosted a TV game show in Austria called Who Is Who.
Since 2009, he has been a part-owner of a media company in the Netherlands. This company owns radio stations, a magazine, and a music TV channel. He also helped start BG Privatinvest, an investment company in Vienna. In 2010, this company bought two major Bulgarian newspapers. However, they sold the newspapers in 2011 after disagreements.
Personal Life
Since 1981, Karl Habsburg has lived in Austria. He lived in Casa Austria near Salzburg until 2022. On 31 January 1993, he married Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza in Mariazell. Francesca is the daughter of a European industrialist. They separated in 2003 and divorced in 2017.
Karl and Francesca have three children:
- Eleonore Maria del Pilar Iona Christina Jelena (born 1994). She married Jérôme d'Ambrosio in 2020.
- Ferdinand Zvonimir Maria Balthus Keith Michael Otto Antal Bahnam Leonhard (born 1997). He is a racing driver.
- Gloria Maria Bogdana Paloma Regina Fiona Gabriela (born 1999).
In 2022, Karl married Christian Nicolau de Almeida Reid in Portugal.
In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he tested positive for the virus. He recovered after almost three weeks of self-isolation. After his illness, Karl Habsburg encouraged everyone to follow safety rules. He also asked people who had recovered to donate blood plasma.
Honours and Awards
Karl von Habsburg has received many honours throughout his life.
Family Honours
House of Habsburg-Lorraine:
- Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Sovereign of the Order of the Starry Cross
- Sovereign and Grand Master of the Order of Saint George
House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies:
- Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
National Honours
Tonga:
- Knight Grand Cross, Special Class of The Most Devoted Royal Household Order of Tonga
- King Tupou VI Coronation Medal
: Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Other Honours
- Grand Master of the Military Order of Saint Sebastian in Europe
- Supreme Bearer of the Couleur of the Austrian Catholic Student Fraternities
- Protector of the Order of Knights of Wine
- Ehrenritter of the Teutonic Order
See also
- Heads of former ruling families
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