| Archduke Leo Karl | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 (in the Polish Army uniform). | |||||
| Born | 5 July 1893 Pula, Austria-Hungary | ||||
| Died | 28 April 1939 (aged 45) Bestwina, Poland | ||||
| Burial | Local cemetery in Bestwina | ||||
| Spouse | Maria-Klothilde von Thuillières | ||||
| Issue | Count Leo Stefan of Habsburg | ||||
| |||||
| House | Habsburg-Lorraine | ||||
| Father | Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria | ||||
| Mother | Archduchess Maria Theresia, Princess of Tuscany | ||||
Leo Karl Maria Cyril-Methodius Habsburg-Lorraine, Archduke of Austria (5 July 1893, Pula, Austria-Hungary – 28 April 1939, Bestwina, Poland) was an Austro-Hungarian military officer, a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. He was the fifth child and the second son of Archduke Charles Stephen of Austria and Archduchess Maria Theresia, Princess of Tuscany.
Archduke Leo Karl was his father’s answer to the Eastern European question, and became the would-be Regent of the Habsburgs' zone of influence in the Balkan region.
Early life
In 1913, Leo and his younger brother, Wilhelm, enrolled at the Theresian Military Academy in Wiener-Neustadt. Upon reaching twenty years of age, which was the age of majority in the Habsburg family, he was inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalric order.[1] At this age, he was also inducted into the Upper House of Parliament. He served in the Austro-Hungarian Army until the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, after which he served with great distinction in the Polish Army.
Marriage and family
In October 1922, he married Austrian noblewoman Maria-Klothilde von Thuillières Gfn von Montjoye-Vaufrey et de la Roche (1893–1978), known among family as "Maja", at St. Stephen Cathedral in Vienna. The marriage was acceptable although morganatic. Their children, among them Count Leo Stefan of Habsburg (12 June 1928 – 3 February 2020), were granted the title of Count of Habsburg.
Later life
He lived on a portion of the Żywiec family estate that he and his brother, Albrecht, inherited from their father. Leo raised his children as Germans.[1] He died of tuberculosis on the 28 April 1939 at his estate in Bestwina, in southern Poland. Since he did not leave a will, the property was inherited by his wife Maja.
He was buried in the local cemetery in Bestwina, a countryside plot belonging to his family.
References