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Otto Habsburg Obituary
Habsburg died in his sleep at his home in Poecking in southern Germany, spokeswoman Eva Demmerle told The Associated Press.
Born on Nov. 20, 1912, Habsburg witnessed the family's decline after the Habsburgs were forced into exile following World War I.
He settled in Poecking in the 1950s and went on to become a member of the European Parliament for Bavaria's conservative Bavarian Christian Social Union.
He also served as president of the Pan-European League from 1979 to 1999.
In that role, he was instrumental in helping organize the Pan-European Picnic peace demonstration in 1989 on the border of Austria and Hungary.
The border was briefly opened in a symbolic gesture, which created the opportunity for 600 East Germans to flee communism months before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
It was the first time an Eastern European nation opened its borders, and is widely seen as the start of the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Habsburg's wife, Regina, died last year. The couple had seven children. Their eldest son, Karl, now runs the family's affairs and has been the official head of the House of Habsburg since 2007.
Habsburg will be buried July 16 in the Emperor Tomb in Vienna, below the Austrian capital's Capuchin Church.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
54 Entries
February 18, 2025
Please pray for His Holiness Pope Francis I
be with
December 23, 2024
Peace
Philip B
January 6, 2023
I want to send my prayers to The Most Reverend Georg Bätzing The German Bishops' Conference as His Grace mourns the loss of His Holiness Pope Francis' predecessor and to His Excellency Heiner Koch Archbishop of Berlin as the Special Olympics Germany mourns the loss of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. May the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary be with His Eminence Reinhard Marx Cardinal Archbishop of Munich and Freising and His Eminence's defenders and protectors as the Mission Staff of Special Olympics Germany mourn the loss of their former Pontiff and may The Head of the Holy Family work to help the nation provide support to their helpers, partners, and members.
ROBERT E CHERMAK III
February 22, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
How you can show support
Imre Sztankoczy
February 19, 2012
I am sad to see men of the caliber of HRH Otto von Habsburg passing from the world stage. He meant a great deal to many of us. My sincerest condolence to the Habsburg family for their loss. - Imre Sztankoczy
John Lewis
July 17, 2011
My sincere condolences to the sons and daughters of HRH Otto von Habsburg in this hour of their sorrow. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. And may we, the living, find inspiration in his life of service to the cause of unity, peace, and concord among the peoples of Europe and the world.
Per Andreas Lundstrom
July 12, 2011
My personal beliefs is that
HIRH Otto von Hapsburg if he had been allowed to be the chief of state would have been a very responsible and skilled leader of his countries.
Sending my condolences ... And may he rest in piece...
Adorjan de Galffy
July 10, 2011
We are sending our sincerest condolences to the sons, daughters and their families. I have treasuried memories of my meetings and correspondence with HRH Otto von Habsburg. Primor szombatfalvi Dr. Galffy Adorjan Imre and Family
Charles Leach
July 9, 2011
A great life and his passing marks the end of an era in European history.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed faithful by God's mercy rest in peace.
Requiesce
cat in pace
Rolana Istuany
July 8, 2011
Unser tiefstes Mitgefuhl der Familie.
Amar, Rolana, Raif und Sana Istuany (aus Damaskus, Syrien)
July 7, 2011
Unser tiefstes Mitgefuhl der Familie.
Amar, Rolana, Raif und Sana Istuany (aus Damaskus, Syrien)
Rolana Istuany
July 7, 2011
Unser tiefstes Mitgefühl der Familie.
Amar, Rolana, Raif und Sana Istuany (aus Damaskus, Syrien)
Sana Istuany
July 7, 2011
Unser tiefstes Mitgefuehl der Familie.
Amar, Rolana, Raif und Sana Istuany (aus Damaskus, Syrien)
Sana Istuany
July 7, 2011
I am sending our condolences to all his sons and daughters with their families. My father who passed away in 1975 was an admirer and knew him well. My mother, sister, brother and I share your sorrow for the loss of your father, grandfather and friend.
"Amar, Rolana, Raif & Sana Istuany"
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
July 7, 2011
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE HABSBURG FAMILY,FRIENDS,&ALL WHO KNEW MR. HABSBURG.
Joachim Von Merz
July 7, 2011
Prost, mein freund,tschuss!
L. R.
July 6, 2011
Sickness will soon fade. God will be our shade. God will soon end all our sorrow. It may even happen tomorrow.
An Admirer
July 6, 2011
What a wonderful legacy for a man born of ptivilege, whose own course in life was gravely affected by his Uncle's assasin. He went on in exile to become a wonderful leader for many noble causes for all the right reasons. Europe and the whole world is richer because of the life he led, when many others would have just faded into oblivion, or lived a life of leisure.
Rest in peace Price Otto. I once had the privilege of meeting Princess Regina. She was likewise a humble and wonderful soul.
Thomas Yaskovic
July 5, 2011
with sincere sympathy, distant relatives from America
Deborah Fiordalice
July 5, 2011
To the beloved leader of truth and justice and love. You legacy will remain and continue.
eborah Fiiordalice
July 5, 2011
from Relatives in America. God Bless and condolances to our family. he was a wonderful man and carried out our prinicpals beautifully, I am so proud to have known him. the world will miss a beuatiful and honorable leader.
Gretchen Winkler
July 5, 2011
He will be greatly missed.
T B
July 5, 2011
My deepest condolences. He served honorably.
July 5, 2011
Mi sentido tributo al hombre, mis condolencias a la familia Habsburgo, a Austria, a Europa. Enrique Gómez de Aranda. (Bruselas, Bélgica).
July 5, 2011
Dear Von Habsburg family my heart goes out to the family. I'm so sorry for your lose. Losing a loved one in death is not easy. I hope that you can find comfort in John 25:8.
Richard Duslack
July 5, 2011
From a very distant relation, I send condolences to the Habsburg family from me, and from my family.
Rey Criollo
July 5, 2011
by the grace of God Emperor of Austria; King of Jerusalem, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia and Lodomeria; Archduke of Austria; Duke of Lorraine, Salzburg, Warzburg, Franconia, Styria, Carinthia, and Carniola; Grand Duke of Cracow; Grand Prince of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Sandomir, Masovia, Lublin, Upper and Lower Silesia, Auschwitz and Zator, Teschen, and Friule; Prince of Berchtesgaden and Mergentheim; Princely Count of Habsburg, Gorizia, and Gradisca and of the Tyrol; and Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and in Istria.
Long Live the House of Habsburg
Laura M. Phillips
July 5, 2011
God bless
Paul E. Thurston
July 5, 2011
Eternal rest give to him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Linda Silpek
July 4, 2011
A most. Wonderful memory of spending a week at a YPO University in Vienna and attending lectures daily by this wonderful humanitarian and historian. Dinner with him and one of his daughters at Schoenbrun, seeing his childhood play area and rooms and sharing his wisdom were a night to remember. He was humble, kind and wise....and delightful. He made me feel like a princess. Adieu fair Prince, may we be as good as you hoped we could be
Linda Fisher Silpe
RH Hill
July 4, 2011
Peace be to your family.....
Roberta Banks
July 4, 2011
Your Legacy will never fade, Your spirit
will always be with us and your love forever in our Hearts.
Joshua Katz
July 4, 2011
They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions, oh have the mighty fallen!
As a Jew, I cannot find a more fitting phrase to offer on the death of a man who richly deserved royalty. History provides us with few truly great men, and politics with almost none. Yet the visage of Otto von Hapsburg remains with us. After seeing his uncle killed, and the continent he had been groomed to inherit plunged into darkness, darkness so deep it would not escape for many, many decades, he spent his life spreading light and goodness. His heroism saved so many from the Nazis, and later from the Soviets, and had he been able to do more, he might have prevented the second World War, and seen Adolf Hitler quickly consigned to the dustbin of history as a failed German chancellor, unimportant to world affairs.
His kindly face, compassion, and regal composure served to alert all to the great man who stood before him. With his passing we lose a historical epoch, a reminder of our past, and a role model for those who seek a better tomorrow.
As for me, well, there is only one thing left to say. Without this man working for peace and freedom, I will have to work harder. I urge all of us to say the same.
July 4, 2011
TO THE FAMILY,I EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TIME,IDID NOT KNOW MR.HABSBURG,IT IS HARD TO LOOSE A LOVE ONE IN DEATH.PLEASE FIND COMFORT AT DANIEL 12:2.AW.HOUSTON,TX.
July 4, 2011
May the angels lead the way to paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome; may this good man rest in the bosom of Abraham. In his life of service, he freely gave, in death, may he freely receive, and in GOD's presence, be fully blest!
A Blackwell, KCG, KCMG
Thomas Hofer
July 4, 2011
Here I am again with a message of condolence for Otto von Habsburg, a great Austrian and European. Even though Austria issued him a passport but denied him entry unitl 1966 for no good reason, he actively supported that country and worked for peace. I believe that history will judge him as a great leader at all times. May he now rest in peace.
michelle plakas-kaiser
July 4, 2011
rip
Inge Amundsen
July 4, 2011
My condolence to the Von Habsburg family.
I live in America, but I have followed Otto Von Habsburgs great leadership in European matters.
With deepest respect and sadness, Inge Amundsen
Recent picture of me
Thomas Hofer
July 4, 2011
Since my first entry did not post, I again express my profound sadness at the death of Otto von Habsburg, whom I admired as a great citizen who loved Austria even as that country refused him entry. He was a man of great spirits who inspired generations to come. He supported Austria and stood for peace in Europe and the world. As such, he will always be remembered.
de Jumecourt
July 4, 2011
God Bless His Late Imperial Majesty Otto, God Save His Imperial Majesty Karl.
With deepest respect and prayers of condolence,
Victoria&Andrew
July 4, 2011
As the sun sets
down upon a Morning
Dew in the Heavens
GodBless rip`
Mr.OTTO V.HABSBURG~
David Baron of Mesta
July 4, 2011
I am commanded by His Serene Highness, Prince Kermit I, Chief of the Dynastic House of Polanie-Patrikios, to extend the deepest sympathies of the Dynastic House to the House of Habsburg, with deep appreciation for the life and honorable service of Prince Otto.
Ted Villalon
July 4, 2011
God bless Otto and comfort his family. Vivat Otto et vivat Carolus
.
Albert Alioto
July 4, 2011
May the Lord bless and grant eternal rest to this good man.
July 4, 2011
To the family & friend of Otto Habsburg. May you find peace of heart in "...the God of all comfort." remembering that he says that, "I will support you...All who are bowed down." I am sorry for your time of sadness. J. Wilson
Henryk Zaleski
July 4, 2011
Rest in peace.
July 4, 2011
To the family of Otto Von Habsburg, you have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved one. Our heavenly Father is with you, and He will revive your spirit and crush heart-Isaiah 57:15. (Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)
Minerva
July 4, 2011
So sad. One of the last of the great families of Europe, gone but not forgotten. You were one of the few genteel, kindly, royals.
Minerva, NC
Noel Ballatin
July 4, 2011
Otto is in a much better place than this one. There, he will have a grand celebration with all of those who preceded him and he will await all of those who follow, in their time.
May God Bless the family, and God Bless Otto Von Haplsburg.
July 4, 2011
Otto you will be missed by my family. The House of Hapsberg had close ties to mine back in 'the old country'. The Hapsberg family is in my prayers and you will continue on just like mine did after the lose of the head of the family. Best wishes from America.
Susan M.
Wolfgang Stoeckl
July 4, 2011
Otto von Habsburg had a extraordinary life. Exiled from Austria, he did not kapitulate but continued to function across the border in Germany. Sometimes I wonder if we were not better off with the Monarchy. The Habsburg family brought Culture to Austria and made sure it would stay there. Rest in Peace Otto von Habsburg.
Virginia
July 4, 2011
A life well lived. Thank you for the things that you did. Rest in peace.
kristen
July 4, 2011
What a beautiful life. God Bless.
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