Hans Adam II (German Hans-Adam II, full name Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marco d'Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein (German Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d'Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein), born February 14, 1945 listen)) is the reigning 15th Prince of Liechtenstein. He ascended the throne on November 13, 1989. The titles of Prince Hans-Adam: Prince of Liechtenstein, Duke of Troppau and Jagendorf, Count of Rietberg, Ostfriesland and Vaduz, Lord of Künringe, Schellenberg, Feldsberg, Kromau and Ostrau.
Place of Birth. Education. Born February 14, 1945 in Zurich (Switzerland) in the family of Prince Franz Joseph II (1906-1989) and Georgina Wilczek (1921-1989). First he studied at the school in Vaduz, then in Vienna - Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz. After that, he studied at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), graduating in 1969 with a master's degree in business administration and economics. His native language is German, but he is also fluent in English and French.
Ascension to the throne. In 1984, he was appointed deputy of Franz Joseph II, and on November 13, 1989 (after the death of his father), Hans-Adam became the new prince of Liechtenstein. At this time, the country faced the problems of illegal financial transactions, money laundering from drug trafficking. Attempts to put an end to this on the part of the new prince ran into opposition from the deputies. Also against Hans-Adam was the chairman of the Constitutional Court, Bernhard Wille, who noted that the prince has no right to control the activities of the government. In response, the Prince of Liechtenstein refused to confirm Ville in his post. Ville filed a lawsuit against the prince in the European Court and won. Hans-Adam II was also forced to pay a significant fine.
A new scandal around financial fraud arose in connection with the publication in 1999 in the journal Der Spiegel of a German intelligence report on the situation in Liechtenstein. Trying to restore order in the state, Hans-Adam invited the prosecutor of Innsbruck, Karl Spitzner, to conduct the investigation. A thorough study of the situation was carried out. It was revealed that some of the deputies were indeed connected with the cartels of drug lords. The amount involved in the case exceeded hundreds of millions of dollars. Hans-Adam II did everything possible to put the deputies-criminals behind bars.
The next step of the prince was the fight against the system of "dirty" money that passed through the banks of Liechtenstein. On July 19, 2000, the association of banks announced that anonymous accounts would not be opened, and the term "bank secrecy" should not interfere with assisting the investigation. In opposition to this, the liberals proposed to eliminate the monarchy or significantly limit the power of the prince. But the population in the spring of 2001 at the next election voted for the conservatives, who were supported by Hans-Adam.
Unlike most modern monarchies, which tend to limit the power of the head of state, Hans-Adam in 2003 organized a referendum aimed at expanding princely powers. In this referendum, Hans-Adam II received the full support of the population (87%), who were in favor of giving the monarchy more powers. However, at the same time, a law was enacted prohibiting the prince from using the right of veto if parliament decides to change the form of government to a republican one.
At the same time, during the reign of Hans-Adam II, Liechtenstein became a member of the United Nations.
On August 15, 2004, Hans-Adam handed over the management of affairs in the state to his eldest son, Alois, and left the crown and the right to control affairs in the principality. In connection with this event, under the walls of the family castle, a feast was arranged for all the subjects of the prince.
State. Prince Hans Adam II is the richest monarch in Europe. His net worth is about $4.4 billion and he is one of the 500 richest people in the world. He owns a collection of Renaissance masterpieces, as well as two palaces in Vienna.
Interesting Facts. In addition to performing state duties, Hans-Adam serves in a bank. In addition, he is engaged in farming, viticulture and winemaking (wine from Liechtenstein is one of the most expensive in the world).
Residents of the principality do not pay taxes on the maintenance of the prince and his family. Hans-Adam pays his expenses at his own expense. All roads in Liechtenstein are being repaired at the expense of the prince's personal funds. Hans-Adam knows almost all the inhabitants of the country by sight.
Family. Wife - Maria Aglaya (1940), daughter of Ferdinand Karl, Count Kinsky von Shinik and Tettau. Children: Alois (1968), married to Sophie, daughter of Max Emanuel of Bavaria. Maximilian (1969) married to Angela Brown. Konstantin (1972) married to Countess Maria Kalnoki. Tatiana (1973) married to Philipp von Latorf.
02/12/2021