Franz Josef II (August 16, 1906 - November 13, 1989) was the prince of Liechtenstein from 1938 until his death. During his reign women received voting rights for the first time, following a referendum on the topic (among men only) in 1984.
Franz Josef was an extremely popular monarch in Liechtenstein. He was the first ruling prince to live full-time in the principality. He was widely credited with keeping Liechtenstein out of World War II, and he also oversaw the economic development of Liechtenstein from a poor agricultural backwater into one of the richest countries (per capita) in the world.
On 7 March 1943, at Vaduz, Fürst Franz Josef II Maria Aloys Alfred Karl Johannes Heinrich Michael Georg Ignatius Benedictus Gerhardus Majella married Gräfin Georgine Norberta Johanna Ferdinandine Aloisia Antonia Marie Raphaela von Wilczek. They had five children.
Franz Josef handed over most of his powers to his son, Hans-Adam, in 1984.
Last updated: 05-27-2005 11:23:33