Biography of Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (born 29 October 1934 in Giessen; died 13 March 2017 in Bad Berleburg) was a German entrepreneur, lawyer and forester. He was head of the House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and married to Princess Benedikte of Denmark. His life connected family history, forestry, Berleburg Castle and close ties to the Danish royal house.

Family background and education

Richard Casimir Karl August Robert Konstantin Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg was born as the eldest child of Gustav Albrecht Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Margareta Fouché d'Otrante. The family had been connected with Berleburg and the Wittgenstein region for centuries. Richard trained as a lawyer and forester. That education suited the responsibilities that later came to him: estate administration, forest management and care for a historic family seat.

Berleburg

Bad Berleburg was his home, workplace and centre of family history. Berleburg Castle has long been linked with the House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. Richard managed the family holdings in and around Berleburg and became head of the house in 1969. The role was practical in nature: land, forests, buildings, local public life and the continuation of a name strongly present in the region.

Marriage to Princess Benedikte

On 3 February 1968 Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg married Princess Benedikte of Denmark in the chapel of Fredensborg Palace. Through this marriage Berleburg also became a place where German family history and the Danish royal house met. The couple had three children: Gustav, Alexandra and Nathalie. Benedikte remained a member of the Danish royal family and continued her duties in Denmark, while Berleburg remained a lasting family base.

Family and public life

Richard usually appeared in a restrained way. In public he was mainly seen in connection with Princess Benedikte, Berleburg Castle and the administration of the family estate. Danish sources place him within the extended royal family; German sources describe him primarily as an entrepreneur, lawyer and forester. His life moved between regional responsibility and international kinship.

Farewell

Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg died in Bad Berleburg on 13 March 2017. He was 82 years old. His funeral took place in Bad Berleburg and brought together relatives from several European royal houses and family branches.