Biography of Moritz von Hessen

Moritz Friedrich Karl Emanuel Humbert Prinz und Landgraf von Hessen (6 August 1926 at Racconigi Castle in Piedmont; died 23 May 2013 in Frankfurt am Main) was a German entrepreneur and head of the House of Hesse. He administered property, collections and foundation work connected with the House of Hesse and helped make Schloss Fasanerie near Fulda a place of historical interpretation.

Background

Moritz von Hessen was the son of Philipp, Landgrave of Hesse, and Mafalda of Savoy, a daughter of the Italian king Victor Emmanuel III. He spent his early childhood in Italy. In 1944, his mother died after being deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp. After the war, Moritz von Hessen lived again in Germany.

House of Hesse

Moritz von Hessen studied agriculture and took on responsibilities in the administration of family property and businesses. Through adoption by Prince Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine, he became connected with the Darmstadt branch of the House of Hesse. In 1980, he followed his father Philipp as head of the House of Hesse.

Family

On 1 June 1964, Moritz von Hessen married Princess Tatiana of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. The marriage produced four children: Mafalda, Donatus, Elena and Philipp. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. His son Donatus later succeeded him as head of the House of Hesse.

Cultural heritage and foundation

Moritz von Hessen's responsibilities included Schloss Fasanerie near Fulda, Schloss Wolfsgarten, Schloss Friedrichshof, family archives, art collections and other properties. Parts of the family assets were transferred into the Hessische Hausstiftung. The foundation works in art, culture, monument preservation and the care of historical places connected with the House of Hesse.

Public work

In Hesse, Moritz von Hessen was seen as a supporter of culture and monument preservation. He supported the care of palaces, gardens, collections and archives closely tied to the state's history. Moritz von Hessen died on 23 May 2013 in Frankfurt am Main.