Franz Josef I, Prince of Liechtenstein

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Franz Josef I as Knight of the Austrian Golden Fleece.
Franz Josef I as Knight of the Austrian Golden Fleece.

Franz Josef I, Prince of Liechtenstein (Franz Josef Johann Adam)(19 November 1726 Milan-18 August 1781 Metz) was a Prince of Liechtenstein from 1772 until his death.

He was the son of Prince Emanuel of Liechtenstein (3 February 1700-15 January 1771) and Maria Antonia von Dietrichstein (10 September 1706-7 June 1777). Franz Josef was the eldest of their thirteen children. He was a nephew of Josef Wenzel.

Franz Josef had been recognised heir to Liechtenstein since 1723, when his uncle's only son had died. Josef Wenzel took Franz Josef under his wing and Franz Josef accompanied him in a campaign in Northern Italy, fighting with Wenzel at the Battle of Piacenza. The battle was a victory for the Holy Roman Empire, of which Liechtenstein was a part.

In 1763, Franz Josef traveled on behalf of the Emperor to Spain, in order to bring the bride of Archduke Leopold a picture of the Archduke. In 1767, he became Privy Councillor, and in 1771, he received the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Once Franz Josef became Prince of Liechtenstein, he showed great interest in its economic problems and the ever increasing Liechtenstein art collection.

[edit] Marriage and Issue

Franz Josef married Marie Leopoldine von Sternberg (11 December 1733-27 June 1809), a member of the Bohemian nobility, on July 6, 1750 in Valtice. The couple had 8 children;


Franz Josef I, Prince of Liechtenstein
Born: 1726 Died: 1781
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Josef Wenzel I		 Prince of Liechtenstein
1772 – 1781		 Succeeded by
Alois I
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