Franz Joseph I of Austria
Biography
Crowned at 18 amid 1848 chaos, he ruled 68 years as the empire aged with him. His brother Maximilian executed in Mexico, son Rudolf died at Mayerling, wife Elisabeth assassinated, nephew Franz Ferdinand shot at Sarajevo. He annexed Bosnia 1908, gave the ultimatum chain of 1914. He died mid war, the empire followed within two years. Devotion to duty in a dying cause.
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