The House of Habsburg is one of the most consequential royal dynasties in European history — at various points kings of Spain, Portugal, Bohemia, Hungary, Croatia, the Holy Roman Emperors, and the Emperors of Austria. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 the family lost its throne, but the dynasty itself continues as the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, currently headed by Karl von Habsburg.
The Family's Roots: From a Castle in Switzerland to All of Europe
The dynasty takes its name from Habsburg Castle (Habichtsburg) in present-day Switzerland, built around 1020. The family rose to royal status with Rudolf I, elected King of the Romans in 1273. The House dominated Central European politics for over 600 years.
The Last Reigning Generation
Emperor Karl I of Austria (17 August 1887 – 1 April 1922) was the last Emperor of Austria and last King of Hungary, reigning from November 1916 to November 1918. He died in exile in Madeira in 1922.
His wife Empress Zita (1892 – 1989), of the House of Bourbon-Parma, lived as an exiled empress for 67 years.
The 20th-Century Patriarch
Otto von Habsburg (20 November 1912 – 4 July 2011) was Karl I and Zita's eldest son. He renounced his sovereignty claims and became one of the most important European parliamentarians of his generation — serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the Christian Social Union (Germany) from 1979 to 1999 and a major advocate for European integration. He published over 30 books on European history and politics.
He died at 98 — the longest-lived member of the family in centuries.
The Current Head: Karl von Habsburg
Karl Habsburg-Lothringen, born 11 January 1961 in Starnberg, Germany, is the head of the House since his father Otto's death in 2011. He served as a Member of the European Parliament (1996 – 1999) for the Austrian People's Party.
His wife Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, born 7 June 1958, is the daughter of art collector Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Their Children
Eleonore Habsburg-Lothringen, born 28 February 1994 — married Jérôme d'Ambrosio (Belgian racing driver) in 2020.
Ferdinand Zvonimir Habsburg-Lothringen, born 21 June 1997 — racing driver; eventual heir.
Gloria Habsburg-Lothringen, born 15 October 1999.
The Habsburg-Lorraine Family Tree at a Glance
Dynasty: House of Habsburg (later Habsburg-Lorraine), from c. 1020.
Last Emperor: Karl I of Austria (1887–1922).
20th-century Patriarch: Otto von Habsburg (1912–2011).
Current Head: Karl von Habsburg (b. 11 January 1961).
Wife: Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza (b. 1958).
Children: Eleonore (b. 1994); Ferdinand (b. 1997); Gloria (b. 1999).
What the Habsburg Family Story Teaches Us
A dynasty that ruled half of Europe at its peak. An empire dissolved in 1918. A son of the last emperor who became a leading European parliamentarian and lived to 98. A current head who is a racing-driver father and politician. A family that, even without thrones, has continued to shape European political culture for a century.
For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Habsburg story carries the same lesson. Families continue after the institutions they were associated with disappear. The Habsburgs lost their thrones in 1918, but the family itself never dissolved — it simply found other ways to continue. Write down what your family has done after losing whatever it once held. Continuation is its own kind of inheritance.
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