Prince Of Liechtenstein Franz Josef Ii

Prince of Liechtenstein who reigned from 1938 until his death. Ruling Liechtenstein for 51 years, he was among the longest-ruling sovereigns in Europe and the longest-serving national leaders in the world at the time of his death. Franz Joseph was the son of Prince Aloys of Liechtenstein and Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria. He succeeded his childless grand-uncle, Prince Franz I, after his father renounced his right of succession in his favour in 1923. Liechtenstein remained neutral throughout World War II, and its neutrality was not violated by any of the combatants. 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. On 7 March 1943, at Vaduz, Franz Joseph II married Countess Georgina von Wilczek (24 October 1921 – 18 October 1989). They had five children. Franz Joseph II died on 13 November 1989, aged 83, in Grabs, Switzerland. Link to Wikipedia biography