Archduke Otto (1912-2011) and his family

[Princess of Cupertino]

I think we can be sure that the habsburg dynasty is in the safe and very wealthy and capable hands of Archduchess Francesca

Can we? Are all Habsburg's on speaking terms with Archduchess Francesca? Has anybody seen a picture with Francesca and her Habsburg Cousins?

Is she really an able communicator? Politician?  What is the general impression of the Austrian people about Francesca?

All I can tell you is that over 50% of Austrians cannot recall her name although she lives in Austria.

What is her background exactly? Does anyone know?

[ashdean]

I think we can be sure that the habsburg dynasty is in the safe and very wealthy and capable hands of Archduchess Francesca

Can we? Are all Habsburg's on speaking terms with Archduchess Francesca? Has anybody seen a picture with Francesca and her Habsburg Cousins?

Is she really an able communicator? Politician?  What is the general impression of the Austrian people about Francesca?

All I can tell you is that over 50% of Austrians cannot recall her name although she lives in Austria.

What is her background exactly? Does anyone know?

She is the daughter of a much married, deceased German billionaire magnate (with a bogus Hungarian title)by his third wife a genteel, Scottish very beautiful former model

[beladona]

From Genealogy Euweb (http://genealogy.euweb.cz/hung/thyssen.html:
Hans Henrik Ágost Gábor Tasso, *Den Haag 2.4.1921;
1m: Castagnola 1.8.1946 (div 1954) Pss Theresia von Lippe-Weissenfeld (*21.7.1925);
2m: Colombo, Ceylon 23.6.1954 (div 1956) Nina Dyer (*London 15.2.1930, +Paris 3.7.1965);
3m: Castagnola 17.9.1956 (div 1965) Fiona Frances Campbell-Walter (*Takapoona, Prov. Auckland, Neuseeld 25.6.1932);
4m: Castagnola 13.12.1967 (div 1984) Denise Shorto (*Garca 23.12.1942);
5m: Daylesford, Moreton-in-Marsch, Gloucester 16.8.1985 Maria del Carmen Cervera Fernandez (*23.4.1943)

From five marriages he has four children:
from first a son: GEORG HEINRICH Alfred Gabor, *Castagnola 19.3.1950
from third two daughters: FRANCESCA Anne Dolores, *Lausanne 7.6.1958; m. Mariazell 31.1.1993 Archduke Karl Thomas von Habsburg-Lothringen (*11.1.1961); and LORNE, *Lugano 15.6.1963
from fourth his second son, Wilfried ALEXANDER August, *Zürich 20.11.1974

[CFH_Mexico]

Does Karl live form her wife's money?
Does he earn a living?
Did he inherit enough money? From whom?

I wonder...

[Lucien]

A wonderfull site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsfujita/2407987506/in/photostream/

courtesy Thomas who posted the link at the GREMB.

[Norbert]

So what happened? really thought Otto would be restored in Hungary in 1992 and even the Czechs must have some emotional connection to the Kingdom of Bohemia?

[REMI]

Our Best Wishes for a Happy 96th Birthday to H.I.R.H Archduke Otto of Austria.

REMI

[REMI]

[Greenowl]

May he have a wonderful 96th. Birthday and many happy returns.

[Vecchiolarry]

Hi,

Happy 96th Birthday to the Archduke Otto...  He has now been Head of the Hapsburg Dynasty for 86 years...

Larry

[britt.25]

It's so fascinating that Otto is still so active...I hope he is still healthy like before. What a man! I almost had forgotten about his birthday because of so many other things. But thank you for posting this and reminding us of this unique person. Great!

[Adagietto]

Seconded. His presence reminds us how <i>recent</i> the First World War was!

[aleksandr pavlovich]

What a wonderful "living link" to a time that most of us simply cannot imagine!   AP

[CFH_Mexico]

He is an amazing man full of strength and is still very active. He was in Vienna recently presenting some books and making some speaches. 96 is really quite something! Kaiserin Zita, her mother, died with 99 years and was lucid almost until the end.

When he turned 90 he gave a speach in Vienna where he said that "Life begins at 90"

Happy birthday

[Princess Susan]

His mother Empress Zita ( 9 May 1892 – 14 March 1989) was nearly 97,when she died.
Therefore could be said, that Otto has almost reached her age.
I wish him also all the best for his recent birthday.