Joachim Ernst
Joachim Ernst in 1918
Duke of Anhalt
Reign13 September 1918 – 12 November 1918
PredecessorEduard
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
Born(1901-01-11)11 January 1901
Dessau, Duchy of Anhalt
Died18 February 1947(1947-02-18) (aged 46)
NKVD special camp Nr. 2, Weimar, Allied-occupied Germany
Spouse
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1927; div. 1929)​

    Edda Marwitz von Stephani
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1929)​
Issue
Names
Joachim Ernst Wilhelm Karl Albrecht Leopold Friedrich Moritz Erdmann
HouseAscania
FatherEduard, Duke of Anhalt
MotherPrincess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg

Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt (11 January 1901 – 18 February 1947) was the last ruler of the Duchy of Anhalt.

Biography

He was born in Dessau, the son of Duke Eduard of Anhalt (1861–1918) and Princess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg (1873–1953), the daughter of Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg.

He succeeded his father as Duke of Anhalt on 13 September 1918. However, due to his age, his uncle Prince Aribert of Anhalt was appointed regent. His brief reign came to an end on 12 November 1918, with his uncle abdicating in his name following the German revolution. The duchy became the Free State of Anhalt and is today part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Thus Joachim Ernst was the last ruler of a constituent state within the German Empire to succeed to the throne, and the only German monarch to be born in the 20th century.

Joachim Ernst joined the ruling Nazi Party in 1939.[1] He died at the Buchenwald concentration camp after World War II as a prisoner of the Soviet Union, when it was called NKVD special camp Nr. 2.[citation needed]

Following his death, the headship of the Ducal House of Anhalt was disputed between his elder son, Prince Friedrich, and brother Prince Eugen.[2][3]

Marriages and children

In Ballenstedt Castle on 3 March 1927, Joachim Ernst married firstly Elisabeth Strickrodt (Plauen, 3 September 1903 – Berlin-Zehlendorf, 5 January 1971), a daughter of an opera singer. She was created Countess of Askanien, but they were divorced in 1929, without issue.[citation needed]

In Ballenstedt Castle on 15 October 1929, Joachim Ernst married secondly Editha "Edda" Charlotte Wilhelmine Marwitz von Stephani (Düsseldorf, 20 August 1905 – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 22 February 1986), natural daughter of Wilhelm Horn by Irmgard Klara Franziska Marwitz. She married firstly in 1926 and divorced from Maximilian, Edler von Rogister[4] and was adopted as an adult by Bertha von Stephani, reputedly for a payment of 10,000 marks, in order to improve her social standing.[5] They had five children:[citation needed]

Honours and awards

Dynastic honours

House of Ascania

Gallery

Ancestry

References

  1. ^ Bundesarchiv R 9361-IX KARTEI/560575
  2. ^ Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh, ed. (1977). Burke's Royal Families of the World, 1st edition. London: Burke's Peerage. pp. 195–196. ISBN 0-85011-023-8.
  3. ^ Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels: Furstliche Hauser Band III. C. A. Starke Verlag. 1955. p. 3.
  4. ^ Burke's Royal Families of the World, Europe and Latin America
  5. ^ "Adel: Eheskandale im Hause Anhalt". Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2016-05-10.

External links

Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt House of AscaniaBorn: 11 January 1901 Died: 18 February 1947 Regnal titles Preceded byEduard Duke of Anhalt 13 September – 12 November 1918 VacantMonarchy abolished Honorary titles Preceded byEduard Grand Master of the Order of Albert the Bear 13 September 1918 – 18 February 1947 Succeeded byFriedrich Titles in pretence Loss of titleRepublic declared — TITULAR — Duke of Anhalt 12 November 1918 - 18 February 1947 Succeeded byFriedrich
Final hereditary rulers of the states of the German Empire
Authority control databases: Artists
Categories