The passing of Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria on February 3, 2020, marked the end of an era for the Teschen line of the Austrian imperial family. Born on June 12, 1928, in Zywiec, Poland, Leo Stefan was the eldest son of Archduke Leo Karl of Austria and Countess Marie Clotilde von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche, a union considered morganatic at the time.
Leo Stefan’s life was marked by a complex family history, with his parents’ marriage not initially conferring the titles of their father’s dynasty to their children. However, this changed with the decrees of Archduke Otto and his son Archduke Karl, who upgraded the male-line descendants of archdukes who had contracted morganatic marriages to the title of Count(ess) von Habsburg and later Archduke/Archduchess of Austria. This change in status did not alter the significance of Leo Stefan’s life, which was characterized by his dedication to his family and his heritage.
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| Death notice of Leo Habsburg, Archduke of Austria. |
On Monday, 3 February 2020, Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria died at Lochen am See, Austria. He was ninety-one years-old. Leo Stefan was buried on Saturday, 8 February 2020, at the Pfarrkirche Lochen am See. The archduke belonged to the Teschen line of the Austrian imperial family.
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| Archduke Leo Karl of Austria. |
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| Countess Marie Clotilde von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche. |
Born on 12 June 1928 at Zywiec in Poland, Leo-Stefan Maria Carl Wolfgang Rudolf Fidelis Habsburg was the eldest son and fourth child of Archduke Leo Karl of Austria (1893-1939) and Countess Marie Clotilde “Maja” von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche (1893-1978). The 1922 marriage of Leo Karl and Maja was considered to be morganatic; therefore, their children did not bear the titles of their father’s dynasty. This situation was reversed by Archduke Otto and his son Archduke Karl, Heads of the Imperial House of Austria, who decreed that male-line descendants of archdukes who had contracted morganatic marriages would be upgraded to the title of Count(ess) von Habsburg and, later, to the title of Archduke/Archduchess of Austria.
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| The five children of Archduke Leo Karl of Austria and Countess Maja von Montjoye-Vaufrey. |
Leo Stefan had three older siblings: Maria Desiderata (1923-1988; married and divorced Count Wolfgang von Hartig), Mechthildis (1924-2000; married Count and Marchese Manfred Piatti), Elisabeth (1927-2014). Leo Stefan had one younger brother, Hugo (1930-1981; married Eleonore Kristen).
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| Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria. |
what were Archduke Leo Stefan’s military campaigns
As we conclude this article about Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria, we are reminded of the significance of preserving the history and legacy of the Austrian imperial family. Archduke Leo Stefan, born on June 12, 1928, was the eldest son of Archduke Leo Karl of Austria and Countess Marie Clotilde von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche. His life was marked by a complex family history, with his parents’ marriage initially not conferring the titles of their father’s dynasty to their children. However, this changed with the decrees of Archduke Otto and his son Archduke Karl, who upgraded the male-line descendants of archdukes who had contracted morganatic marriages to the title of Count(ess) von Habsburg and later Archduke/Archduchess of Austria. This change in status did not alter the significance of Leo Stefan’s life, which was characterized by his dedication to his family and his heritage.
Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria left behind a lasting impact on his family and the world. His marriage to Gabriele Kunert and later Heide Aigner, with whom he had children, was a testament to his commitment to his family. His involvement in the family estate in Bestwina, Poland, and his efforts to preserve the family’s history and legacy are a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. As we reflect on the life of Archduke Leo Stefan, we are reminded of the significance of honoring our ancestors and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. We hope that this article has provided a comprehensive overview of Archduke Leo Stefan’s life and legacy, and we encourage our readers to continue exploring the rich history of the Austrian imperial family.
what were the key events in Archduke Leo Stefan’s life
- Birth and Family: Born on June 12, 1928, in Zywiec, Poland, to Archduke Leo Karl of Austria and Countess Marie Clotilde von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche. He was the eldest son and fourth child of his parents.
- Marriage and Family: Married Gabriele Kunert in 1962 and later Heide Aigner in 1973. He had children from both marriages.
- Preservation of Family Legacy: Involved in the family estate in Bestwina, Poland, and dedicated to preserving the family’s history and legacy.
- Death: Archduke Leo Stefan of Austria died on February 3, 2020, at the age of 91 in Lochen am See, Austria. He was buried on February 8, 2020, at the Pfarrkirche Lochen am See.
These key events highlight Archduke Leo Stefan’s life, which was marked by his dedication to his family and his heritage.
