10 Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Thursday, March 19th 2015. | Figures


Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand talk about the Royal Prince of Hungary and Bohemia. He was born on 18 December 1863 and passed away on 28 June 1914.  He was also famous as the Archduke of Austria Este and Austria Hungarian. He died after he was assassinated. Let’s check out more facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand in the below explanation:

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 1: the assassination

Austria-Hungary declared to have a war against Serbia after Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. This condition triggered the World War I after the allies of Serbia fought with Central Powers such as Austria-Hungary and Germany.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 2: place of birth

Let’s find out the place of birth of Franz Ferdinand. He was born in Graz, Austria.  His father was Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria.  In the family, Ferdinand was the oldest son. His younger brothers included Franz Joseph and Maximilian. His mother was Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. He was the second wife of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Wife

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Wife

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 3: the death of his cousin

The death of his cousin made him as the heir of the throne. His cousin was Duke Francis V of Modena who passed away in 1875. At that time, Ferdinand was only 11 years old. There is no need to wonder that he became one of the richest men in Austria.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 4: Crown Prince Rudolf

Karl Ludwig was in the first line of the throne after Crown Prince Rudolf, the cousin of Franz Ferdinand committed suicide in his hunting lodge in Mayerling. The life of Ferdinand changed a lot. Since his father died because of typhoid in 1896, Ferdinand was the heir.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Facts

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Facts

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 5: the burden

Becoming the heir was very difficult to do but Ferdinand was able to do personal hobbies and had time to travel. In 1893, he went to Australia to hunt emus and kangaroos.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 6: traveling

He also went to other countries and cities such as Japan, Hong Kong, Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, Noumea, Sarawak, and New Guinea. To reach Vancouver to Yokohama, he used RMS Empress of China.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 7: military career

Franz Ferdinand had military career since he was very young. When he was 14 years old, he was promoted as a lieutenant.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 8: marriage

When he was in ball in Prague, he met Countess Sophie Chotek in 1894. But Sophie was rejected by Emperor Franz Joseph. To avoid any disagreement between Franz Ferdinand and Emperor Franz Joseph, finally Joseph gave him permission to marry her in 1899. However, the marriage should be morganatic. It means that the descents of Franz will never take over the throne. The privileges, title, and rank of her husband will never be shared to Sophie.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand News

Archduke Franz Ferdinand News

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 9: the children

There were four children that the couple had. Those were Princess Sophie of Hohenberg, Maximilian, Prince Ernst of Hohenberg and Stillborn son. Find out another figure in APJ Abdul Kalam facts.

Facts about Archduke Franz Ferdinand 10: death

Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo at 10:45 am by Gavrilo Princip.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Image

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Image

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