“Who was Franz I?” you might ask. Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein, reigned from 1929 to 1938. He left a significant mark on Liechtenstein. Let’s delve into his life and legacy right here.
Franz I was born Franz de Paula Maria Karl August in 1853. His parents were Aloys II and Countess Franziska Kinsky. He was born at Liechtenstein Castle in Austria. Franz attended the Universities of Vienna and Prague. He then served as ambassador to the Russian Empire from 1894 to 1898.
Franz I had a complicated love life. He fell in love with Elisabeth von Gutmann. She was a widow who had converted to Catholicism from Judaism. His brother Johann disapproved of the relationship. Franz secretly married Gutmann in 1919. They remarried after Johann’s death in 1929.
Franz I became Prince of Liechtenstein in 1929. This was after Johann II died. Soon after, Czechoslovakia seized a large amount of land belonging to the Liechtenstein family. A delegation of farmers asked him to establish a republic. Franz refused to use his money for the country. He wanted it to rely on taxation.
In 1937, Josef Hoop admitted that Otto von Habsburg was living in Vaduz Castle. He was there as a guest of Franz I. This allowed him to be closer to Austria. An extradition treaty was also signed with the United States.
Franz I had no children. Aloys removed himself from the line of succession. Aloys favored his son Franz Joseph.
In 1938, Franz I made Franz Joseph his regent. This happened after the Anschluss of Austria. Franz I then moved to Feldsberg, Czechoslovakia. He died at Castle Feldberg in July 1938. Franz Joseph then became the Prince of Liechtenstein.
Some believe Franz I made Franz Joseph regent due to his age. Others speculate he didn’t want to rule if Nazi Germany invaded. This was partly because his wife Elisabeth was of Jewish descent.
Franz I received several honors during his life. He founded the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein in 1937. He was also a Knight of the Golden Fleece.
Franz I also contributed to historical research. He purchased the library of Russian historian Wassili Bilbassow. This led to the establishment of the Institute for Eastern European History at the University of Vienna.
Franz I died in 1938. He was originally buried in Czechoslovakia. His wife Elsa was buried elsewhere. Her remains were later moved to Vaduz Cathedral.
Franz I’s reign was short but significant. He navigated difficult political times. He also supported the arts and sciences. His legacy lives on in Liechtenstein.