- Germany edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Norway |
- Spain |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
Otto von Habsburg, heir to Austria's last emperor, dies at 98
Published: 4 Jul 11 14:46 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110704-36065.html
Otto von Habsburg, the eldest son of Austria's last emperor who became a champion of Europe's enlargement as a Bavarian politician, died Monday in Germany at the age of 98.
- 'Germans are nice thanks to my Ami accent' (13 May 13)
- Merkel reveals new details of GDR past (13 May 13)
- Cops stop speeding car with dog at wheel (10 May 13)
The son of emperor Karl I, who reigned for only two years before the empire disintegrated, Habsburg was born on November 20, 1912 in Reichenau an der
Rax in eastern Austria.
Known abroad as Otto von Habsburg, this elegant man with large glasses and a big smile was just Otto Habsburg-Lothringen in Austria, after the state abolished his family's titles and confiscated their property in 1919.
But he found a calling in the European project, heading the International Paneuropean Union for over 30 years and serving as an elected member of the European parliament from 1979 to 1999 for Bavaria's conservative CSU party. He held Austrian, German and Hungarian citizenship.
An ardent anti-Communist, Habsburg organised in August 1989 the now-famous "Pan-European picnic" in Sopron, near Hungary's border with Austria, during which some 700 East Germans were able to escape to the West, a few months before the Berlin Wall fell on November 9.
He always campaigned for a unified Europe based on Christian values and for a greater integration of eastern countries into Europe.
Forced into exile with his family after the empire fell in 1918, Habsburg spent time in Switzerland, on the Portuguese island of Madeira, Spain, Belgium, France and the United States, and studied political and social sciences at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, graduating with a doctorate in 1935.
In the 1930s, he openly opposed the Nazi party, joining the Austrian resistance after the 1938 Anschluß and helping thousands of Jews flee the country at the beginning of World War II.
His actions prompted the Nazis to come after him but Habsburg later said it was his duty to be politically involved.
He said he became "a European patriot in the very depths of his soul" after Nazi Germany occupied Austria.
In 1951, Habsburg married the German princess Regina von Saxe-Meiningen und
Hildburghausen, with whom he had seven children.
He reluctantly renounced all claims to the Austrian throne in 1961, five years before the state repealed so-called anti-Habsburg laws, adopted after World War I, which effectively banned all members of the former imperial family from setting foot in Austria.
A student of languages, Habsburg wrote some 40 books on history and politics in German, French, Spanish and Hungarian.
His funeral will take place in Vienna on July 16, his spokeswoman said Monday. Habsburg will be buried in the imperial crypt in Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn told the Catholic news service Kathpress.
AFP/mry
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision?
Eurovision Song Contest favourite Denmark won the competition on Saturday night, while Germany plunged to 21st place – the worst showing in five years – amidst speculation that it was payback for Angela Merkel’s hated policies. READ () »
Police warn against high-tech Islamist attacks
The Federal Criminal Police Office is warning of a new type of Islamist terrorist threat from the air that could attack both passenger and cargo planes as well as airport facilities, the Welt am Sonntag newspaper reported. READ () »
Some fear inflation if small euro coins cut
European Union proposals to eliminate one and two cent euro coins is annoying some Germans, including a few at the Bundesbank, while others think an EU idea to introduce one and two-euro notes is a good one. READ () »
Boy dies at Tropical Islands swimming pool
A 15-year-old boy died on Saturday at the popular “Tropical Islands” swimming and entertainment centre outside of Berlin, the Bild newspaper reported. READ () »
Wagner descendant slams composer
As the musical world lavishly celebrates Richard Wagner's bicentenary, the composer's great-grandson insists he is no spoilsport by denouncing the German master as a narcissist, woman-hater and an anti-Semite. READ () »
Bayern wins, Dortmund loses ahead of CL Final
If Saturday’s play was any barometer of what may happen at the Champions League final this coming Saturday, then Borussia Dortmund should be very nervous indeed. READ () »
Most Germans optimistic about the future
Although less than 50 percent of Germans are optimistic about their current situation, more than half think their future will be better and the number of pessimists in the country dropped, a survey released on Saturday showed. READ () »
Organic food stores expand rapidly
Organic food and health stores are undergoing a hefty expansion in Germany, with the Vitalia chain taking over several locations from the bankrupt Schlecker drugstore chain in Munich alone. READ () »
- 19/05 Did Merkel's politics hurt Germany at Eurovision? »
- 19/05 Wagner descendant slams composer »
- 18/05 Most Germans optimistic about the future »
- 18/05 Survey: Half of gays harassed in Germany »
- 17/05 No child support if dad is anonymous sperm donor »
- 16/05 Germany in for wet Whit weekend »
- 16/05 US denies Christian homeschoolers asylum »
- 16/05 Unhappy diners 'beat top Japanese chef to death' »
- 15/05 Diplomat's dog bites wife of Korean fat cat »
- 15/05 Single women 'too much trouble' for allotments »
- Burning ship had tonnes of radioactive material »
- Giant Barbie doll house opens amid protests »
- No child support if dad is anonymous sperm donor »
- 'LHighlights
Latest news from The Local in France- 19/05 Ancelotti praises 'great pro' Beckham »
- 19/05 Disgraced ex-minister abandons re-election bid »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
Latest news from The Local in NorwayMore news from Norway at thelocal.no
Latest news from The Local in SwedenMore news from Sweden at thelocal.se
Latest news from The Local in Switzerland- 19/05 Swiss to face Sweden in world ice hockey final »
- 17/05 Thieves pinch Swiss jewels from Cannes »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
See all ads | Join the Marketplace
-
PsyShrink Munich
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
Chambervelt Rooselain & Cie Ltd.
Insurance and financial planning for English speakers in Germany -
Shiply Worldwide Ltd
Shiply the Online Transport Market Place -
Weiss Institut
Free yourself from Smoking addictions, Sugar craving and Alcohol addictions -
PsyShrink Frankfurt
The Expat Psychologists in Munich, Frankfurt and worldwide -
British Corner Shop
British Corner Shop - The online supermarket for expats
Jobs in Germany, in English792 jobs available
611 new jobs this week
28 new jobs today- Analyst Predictive Maintenance (m/f)
- Trade Marketing Manager (f/m)
- Opportunity for Medical Information Scientists and Information Managers as Epidemiological Data M...
- Trainee to work in business development for Daimler Insurance Services
- Sales Professional (m/f)
- Finance Administrator (Account Payable & Travel Expenses)
- Customer Interaction Specialist for French, English (f/m)
- Marketingassistenz (w/m)
- Scientific Editor (m/f)
- Aftermarket - Process and Application Engineer
Blog- Apr/09 Touring Tempelhof – Europe’s Largest Historical Monument
- Apr/09 Spring in Berlin 2013 – Where, What Why and When!
- Mar/12 Living Like a Local – Tell us what you think and win a weekend in Berlin!
- Feb/04 Escaping the City – Our Recommended Suburban Getaways
- Feb/04 Berlin Tegel Airport Transfers – How to get into the City
EssentialsDating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.RegisterRegister now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discussNews from the Goethe-Institut- “Preserve the proven, shape the new” – the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart
For more than thirty years, Helmuth Rilling shaped the international Bach Academy; now he is succeeded by Hans-Christoph Rademann. - ‘Open Mike’ – Fireworks with the Buddha
The Berlin ‘Open Mike’ entered this year its twentieth edition. - On the Stage, the Spoken Word Prevails
In January 2013 the annual meeting of the Dramaturgical Society took place in Munich; its theme: “Speaking on Stage – and about Theatre”... - The Magician of Images – Klaus Ensikat
With the technique of an Old Master and subtle humour, the award-winning graphic designer and illustrator Klaus Ensikat has for fifty years produced ingenious illustrations for literary classics and children’s books.... - A Picture Every Day – Philip Waechter
Philip Waechter, son of the famous illustrator and cartoonist Friedrich Karl Waechter, is one of the best-known contemporary writers and illustrators of children’s books....
News from Young Germany- German first feature film in Cannes
A directorial debut from Germany makes it to the competition “Un Certain Regard” at the famous film festival on the Côte d’Azur. - Traveling Germany: Europa-Park
Think theme parks:Roller coasters, colorful rides, entertainment, thrills. Think Germany: Europa-Park is the largest amusement park in the country, second in Europe only to Disneyland Paris. - Frankfurt – the digital hub
The Internet hub in Frankfurt am Main is the largest in the world and places Germany in a leading position in the digital world. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. They‘re invited to contribute their ideas for the EU, and to discover more about their rights as EU citizens. An example: labour mobility. - Neuschwanstein Castle: In Photos
Neuschwanstein is the most popular tourist attraction in Germany. And for good reason. King Ludwig II's castle looks like it fell out of a book of fairy tales.
News from DeutschlandOnline- Theatre festival between the Saar and the Mosel
The Festival Perspectives in the German-French region around Saarbrücken is staging European theatre, dance and music productions. - The European Year of Citizens
2013 is the European Year of Citizens. - Europe Day, Robert Schuman and Class 4a
Enthusiasm for the idea of Europe – in the 60th European Competition, schoolchildren from Germany show what this could look like. - Relief organizations
The portals presented here provide information on the help programs offered by different organizations.
- Analyst Predictive Maintenance
- Contract Manager
- Dipl. Ingenieur (FH) /Techniker
- Account Manager - Academic Sales - Germany
- Application Development Engineer Nutrinova
- Berater Regulatory Affairs
- Business Process Analyst
- Channel Sales Representative
- Clinical Physician - Leading pharma in Germany
- Clinical Sales Specialist, Haematology
- 17/05 paid internship
- 17/05 Florida resident seeks job in baden Baden Germany
- 17/05 Berlin Writing Group
- 17/05 cheap car hire
- 15/05 Queen size bed & frame
- 15/05 Feste Stelle
- 15:32 Let's cocktail! Ladies Night in Frankfurt =)
- 15:28 Is learning 'der die das' impossible?
- 15:20 Apple iPad mini
- 14:59 Meet up for indecisive 20-somethings
- 14:58 Doctor Who (TV series)
- 14:22 Formula One 2013 season (F1 motor racing)
- 12:33 M-Net not switched on due to Telekom delay
- 12:25 Neighbour wants me to take care of her kid
- 11:41 Cycling tours around Munich
- 11:28 Kitesurfing near Munich
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/
Professional and qualified consultancy on all insurance and finance matters in Germany, Telephone: +49 2163 571 1740, Email: bg@albatross-assurance.com
www.albatross-assurance.com
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.
Your comments about this article: