Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria
| Archduke Franz Ferdinand | |||||
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| Archduke of Austria-Este | |||||
Franz Ferdinand, ca. 1914
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| Born |
18 December 1863 Graz, Austrian Empire |
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| Died | 28 June 1914 (aged 50) Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary (assassinated) |
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| Spouse | Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg | ||||
| Issue | |||||
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| House | Habsburg-Lorraine | ||||
| Father | Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria | ||||
| Mother | Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
| Signature |  |
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| Full name | |
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| Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria |
Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914) was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia and, from 1896 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia. This caused the Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary) and Serbia's allies to declare war on each other, starting World War I.
Franz Ferdinand was born in Graz, Austria, the eldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria (younger brother of Franz Joseph and Maximilian) and of his second wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. In 1875, when he was only eleven years old, his cousin Duke Francis V of Modena died, naming Franz Ferdinand his heir on condition that he add the name Este to his own. Franz Ferdinand thus became one of the wealthiest men in Austria.
In 1889, Franz Ferdinand's life changed dramatically. His cousin Crown Prince Rudolf committed suicide at his hunting lodge in Mayerling. This left Franz Ferdinand's father, Karl Ludwig, as first in line to the throne. Karl Ludwig died of typhoid fever in 1896. Henceforth, Franz Ferdinand was groomed to succeed to the throne.
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