Archduchess Helen of Austria, a member of the Habsburg royal family, has reached a significant milestone in her life. Born on May 20, 1937, she is now celebrating her 85th birthday. This remarkable occasion marks a testament to her resilience and longevity, a true reflection of the enduring legacy of her noble lineage. As a descendant of the illustrious House of Austria, Archduchess Helen's life has been marked by a rich tapestry of historical events and personal experiences that have shaped her into the distinguished figure she is today.
Countess Helen zu Toerring-Jettenbach, as she was born, has had a life filled with royal connections and family ties that span across Europe. Her grandmother, Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia, was a significant influence in her early years, and her mother, Princess Elisabeth of Greece, was a member of the Greek royal family. These royal connections have played a significant role in shaping Archduchess Helen's life and experiences, making her a fascinating figure in European history.
what are some notable achievements of Archduchess Helen of Austria
Archduchess Helen of Austria, born Countess Helen zu Toerring-Jettenbach, has had a life filled with royal connections and family ties that span across Europe. Her grandmother, Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia, was a significant influence in her early years, and her mother, Princess Elisabeth of Greece, was a member of the Greek royal family. These royal connections have played a significant role in shaping Archduchess Helen's life and experiences, making her a fascinating figure in European history. Archduchess Helen has been married to Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, and they have three children together. Her family has been involved in various business and philanthropic endeavors, with her husband's work in the medical device field and her children pursuing their own paths in different parts of the world. Archduchess Helen has been a constant presence in her family's life, supporting her children and grandchildren through various stages of their lives.
what was the significance of the Ladies' Convent of Hall founded by Archduchess Helena
The Ladies' Convent of Hall, founded by Archduchess Helena of Austria, was a significant institution in the life of the archduchess and her sisters. The convent was established in 1568, and Archduchess Helena entered it with her sister Magdalena in 1569. The convent was a place where women could lead a reclusive, pious, and God-fearing life under the supervision of the Society of Jesus. The convent was founded by Archduchess Helena and her sisters, Magdalena and Margaret, who had expressed a strong desire to remain unmarried and create a community of pious women.
what was the daily life like for the canonesses at the Ladies' Convent of Hall
The daily life of the canonesses at the Ladies' Convent of Hall was structured around the Gospels and the Rule of St. Augustine. The Rule emphasizes the importance of living in harmony, sharing everything in common, and serving the sick and needy through works of mercy and hospitality. The canonesses followed a simple life, dedicating themselves to various forms of social service, such as nursing and teaching, while also maintaining a strong liturgical and personal prayer life. Their daily routine likely included participating in the Divine Office, engaging in various forms of prayer and meditation, and providing care and support to those in need within the community and beyond.
Archduchess Helen of Austria.
Today Archduchess Helen of Austria (née Toerring-Jettenbach) celebrates her eighty-fifth birthday!
The christening of Archduchess Helen in 1937. Holding her is her grandmother and namesake, Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia.
Countess Helen zu Toerring-Jettenbach was born at Schloß Winhöring on 20 May 1937. She was the second child of Count Carl Theodor zu Toerring-Jettenbach and of his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Greece, herself the middle daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece (1872-1938) and Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia (1882-1957). Count Carl Theodor Toerring-Jettenbach's parents were Count Hans Veit zu Toerring-Jettenbach (1862-1929) and his wife Duchess Sophie in Bavaria (1875-1957), herself the daughter of Karl Theodor, Duke in Bavaria (a brother of Empress Elisabeth of Austria) and of his second wife Infanta Maria José of Portugal, a daughter of King Miguel I of Portugal.
Interestingly, this Portuguese ancestry connects Helen to a plethora of royal personages. Maria José's siblings included: The Duke of Braganza (whose descendants include the present holder of the title, Dom Duarte, as well as descendants in the houses of Liechtenstein and Thurn und Taxis); Archduchess Maria Teresa of Austria (last wife of Archduke Karl Ludwig [1833-1896], a brother of Emperor Franz Joseph as well as the great-grandfather of Archduke Ferdinand, Helen's late husband); Grand Duchess Maria Anna of Luxembourg (who married Grand Duke Guillaume IV and who was the mother of six daughters, among them Grand Duchesses Marie Adelaide and Charlotte, as well as Crown Princess Antonia of Bavaria); and Duchess Maria Antonia of Parma (who was the second wife of Duke Robert, by whom she had twelve children, among them: Prince Felix of Luxembourg, Empress Zita of Austria and Duke Francesco Xaverio of Parma, to name a few).
Helen passed the war years in Bavaria, where her family felt protected from the atrocities consuming Europe. Her father's opposition to the National Socialists and her mother's outright and intense dislike for Hitler and his cronies made it imperative that then family remain in semi-isolation, while living quietly. The fact that Princess Elisabeth's sisters (Olga of Yugoslavia and Marina of Kent) were married into families that opposed Nazi Germany during the war only made life more fragile for the Toerring-Jettenbachs.
With peace in 1945 also came an opportunity for the family of Countess Helen to renew long-lost connections to their royal relations outside Germany. Visits to Athens to see Grand Duchess Helen and other members of the Greek royal family were soon arranged, while others traveled to Bavaria to reconnect with the Toerring-Jettenbachs. Luckily, Schloß Winhöring was unscathed by the ravages of war and the bombings that Munich underwent.
Princess Elisabeth of Greece (Countess zu Toerring-Jettenbach) with her children Hereditary Count Hans Veit and Countess Helen – Schloß Winhöring, c. 1944.
Tragedy, however was also around the corner. In 1955 Princess Elisabeth succumbed, quite rapidly, to a malady that she had been fighting against. The previous year the family of Grand Duchess Helen, a widow since 1938, suffered a sad blow when Prince Nicholas of Yugoslavia, second son of Princess Olga and Prince Regent Paul, died in a car crash in England.
Princess Olga of Yugoslavia, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, Countess Helen zu Toerring-Jettenbach and Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent.
Archduchess Helen on her wedding day.
However, as life always does, great loss is oftentimes replaced by deep happiness. Such was the case in 1956 when Countess Helen married a longtime family friend, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (1918-2004), eldest son of Archduke Maximilian (1895-1952) and of his wife Princess Franziska zu Hohelonhe-Schillingsfürst (1897-1989). Ferdinand and Helen were to be married for nearly five decades.
The couple were blessed with three very attractive and delightful children: Elisabeth (1957-1983), Sophie (b. 1959) and Maximilian (b. 1961). They were raised in various European countries as Archduke Ferdinand's business obligations demanded relocation every so often. However, throughout the family remained much attached to London, Munich and Salzburg, where Ferdinand's mother lived. They also retained countless links to most of their royal relations across the continent, particularly with King Constantine II of the Hellenes and Queen Sophie of Spain, as well as with Helen's first cousins of Yugoslavia and Kent.
Archduchess Helen with her eldest daughter, the late Archduchess Elisabeth.
In October 1982, Helen's eldest daughter, Elisabeth, married an Australian gentleman by the name of James Litchfield. The couple settled in faraway Australia and hoped for a long life together. Sadly, it was not to be as Archduchess Elisabeth passed away quite suddenly at Myalla, Cooma, Australia, on 18 May 1983.
In the meantime, Archduchess Sophie, who can easily be argued is one of the most strikingly beautiful royals, was making a name for herself as both a top model and an humanitarian devoted to orphaned children. After several attempts at finding a soul mate, Sophie married Fürst Hugo zu Windish-Grätz in 1990. The couple settled in Italy, where Furst Hugo has vast interests as well as playing an important role within the Vatican's administrative structure. Hugo has also served as Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
The baptism of Archduke Nikolaus: Prince Alexis, Princess Larissa, Archduchess Helen with baby Nikolaus and Hereditary Prince Maximilian.
Hugo and Sophie had three children: Hereditary Prince Maximilian (b. 1990), Prince Alexis (1991-2010) and Princess Larissa (b. 1996). The death of their son Alexis was a deeply sad tragedy for the boy's parents and his grandmother Helen. Christian fortitude and a deep belief in Catholic principles allowed the family to find the strength to overcome this immensely challenging loss.
The family's benjamin, Archduke Maximilian settled in Madrid, where he works in the medical device field. Maximilian Heinrich Ferdinand of Austria was born in Boulogne-sur-Seine in 1961. In 2005 he married Maya Al-Askari, a lovely lady whose family proudly claims descent from the Prophet Mohammed. Max and Maya have been blessed with three children: Archduke Nikolaus (b. 2005), Archduke Constantin (b. 2007) and Archduchess Katharina (b. 2010). All children were born in Madrid, where Max has lived for the better part of the last quarter century.
Archduke Ferdinand and Archduchess Helen of Austria.
In 2004, Archduchess Helen lost her husband, who succumbed to a long malady.
Today, on Archduchess Helen's 85th birthday, we at Eurohistory, wish her the very best and may God continue keeping a watchful eye over the life of a truly lovely lady...As we conclude our tribute to Archduchess Helen of Austria, we are reminded of the profound impact she has had on the world. Born on May 20, 1937, she has lived a life marked by royalty, devotion, and a deep connection to her heritage. Her grandmother, Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia, was a significant influence in her early years, and her mother, Princess Elisabeth of Greece, was a member of the Greek royal family. These royal connections have played a significant role in shaping Archduchess Helen's life and experiences, making her a fascinating figure in European history. Her marriage to Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, her children, and her philanthropic work have all contributed to her enduring legacy.
As we celebrate Archduchess Helen's 85th birthday, we are reminded of the importance of family, tradition, and the enduring power of devotion. Her life has been a testament to the enduring legacy of the Habsburg royal family, and her contributions to the world will continue to inspire future generations. We wish Archduchess Helen a happy birthday and a continued life filled with joy, love, and the pursuit of her passions. May her story serve as a reminder of the power of dedication and the enduring impact that individuals can have on the world.
what are some lesser-known facts about Archduchess Helen's family history
Archduchess Helen of Austria, born Countess Helen zu Toerring-Jettenbach, has a rich family history that includes several lesser-known facts. Here are a few:
- Portuguese Ancestry: Archduchess Helen's mother, Princess Elisabeth of Greece, was a descendant of King Miguel I of Portugal, making Archduchess Helen a descendant of the Portuguese royal family.
- Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia: Archduchess Helen's grandmother, Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia, was a significant influence in her early years. This connection to the Russian royal family adds to Archduchess Helen's extensive royal lineage.
- Cousin of Queen Elizabeth II: Archduchess Helen is the second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, making her a part of the British royal family's extended network.
- Niece of the Duchess of Kent: Archduchess Helen is the niece of Princess Alexandra of Kent, the Duchess of Kent, making her a part of the British royal family through her mother's side.
- Cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Archduchess Helen is the cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, further solidifying her connections to the British royal family.
- Family Friendships: Archduchess Helen's family maintained close friendships with European royal families, including the British royal family. Her husband, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, was a longtime family friend, and she was close with her royal relatives, including Queen Elizabeth II.
- Philanthropic Work: Archduchess Helen has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, supporting her family's charitable efforts and contributing to the well-being of those around her.
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