Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Franz Joseph was born in August 1906, the son of Prince Alois and Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria. In 1923 his father renounced succession in his favor, positioning him to inherit from his childless grand-uncle. He became reigning Prince of Liechtenstein on 25 July 1938. Breaking with tradition, he moved into the principality itself — no predecessor had ever lived there year-round. Over five decades he oversaw Liechtenstein's transformation from a poor agricultural economy into one of the richest nations per capita in the world. He died in November 1989, having ruled for fifty-one year…