Laetitia d'Arenberg
Encyclopedia
Laetitia d'Arenberg
, formally Lætitia Marie Madelaine Susanne Valentine de Belzunce d'Arenberg, was born on September 2, 1941 in Brummana
, Mandate of Lebanon
now Lebanon
. She is a French Uruguayan
businesswoman
.
at the Battle of Monte Cassino
, on May 13, 1944. He belonged to a family of ancient nobility in France
, originally from Lower Navarre
, who held the seigneurie of Belzunce near Bayonne
, where the family was notable since the 12th century, and had received the Honneurs de la Cour
at Paris in 1739.
On August 20, 1949 her mother was re-married, to Prince Erik Engelbert, 11th Duke of Arenberg. In 1951, she moved with her family to Uruguay
because her family feared expansion of the Korean War
to Europe
. On 15 February 1956 Laetitia and her brother, Rodrigue, were adopted by her step-father, Prince Erik Engelbert. Although the adoption did not entitle her to use or inherit his family's dynastic
titles and styles of prince, duke and Serene Highness
, her legal surname became "de Belzunce d'Arenberg", and she became one of the heirs to his personal fortune.
at St. Gilgen
, Austria
, the religious nuptials followed on 28 July at Menetou-Salon
, France
Their first child, Archduke Sigismund of Austria-Tuscany
, now head of the Tuscan Grand Ducal branch of the Imperial House of Habsburg, was born at Lausanne
, Switzerland
, on 21 April 1966. Their second child, Archduke Guntram Maria Josef of Austria-Tuscany, was born at Montevideo
, Uruguay on 21 June 1967.
Laetitia and her husband divorced on 21 May 1981 at Salzburg
, Austria
. Leopold Franz moved to Europe
, re-married a commoner in June 1993 (and was again divorced in 1998), renouncing his headship of the House of Tuscany
in favor of his and Laetitia's elder son on 12 April 1994, while Laetitia remained in Uruguay
. Some years later she was re-married, to John Anson.
and Great Wall Motor automobiles importer), Nimansur (JAC Motors trucks importer), and others.
, Nicolas Sarkozy
, on April 10, 2009, Laetitia d'Arenberg was accorded the medal of the Legion of Honor in the grade of Knight (Chevalier). This distinction was awarded in recognition of her 30 years of professional success which encompassed commitment to numerous social projects in Uruguay, particularly to benefit disadvantaged children and young people addicted to drugs. The official award ceremony occurred on 24 September, sponsored by a French Senate delegation during an official visit to Uruguay, led by Senator Jean-Marc Pastor
, accompanied by Senators Rémy Pointereau
, François Fortassin
, Gérard Miquel
and Annie Jarraud-Vergnolle
.
House of Arenberg
The House of Arenberg is an aristocratic lineage that is constituted by three successive families who took their name from Arenberg, a small principality of the Holy Roman Empire in the Eifel. The inheritance of the House of Croÿ-Aarschot made the Arenbergs the most influential and most wealthy...
, formally Lætitia Marie Madelaine Susanne Valentine de Belzunce d'Arenberg, was born on September 2, 1941 in Brummana
Brummana
Brummana is a town in the Matn District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate in Lebanon. It is located east of Beirut, overlooking the capital and the Mediterranean.-Overview:...
, Mandate of Lebanon
French Mandate of Syria and Lebanon
Officially the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon was a League of Nations mandate founded after the First World War and the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire...
now Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. She is a French Uruguayan
French Uruguayan
A French Uruguayan is an Uruguayan citizen of full or partial French ancestry. French Uruguayan form the third largest ancestry group after Spanish Uruguayans and Italian Uruguayans. Until 1853, France constituted the main source of immigrants to Uruguay...
businesswoman
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
.
Background
She is a daughter of Henri, Marquis de Belzunce and Marie-Thérèse de la Poëze d'Harambure. Her father was an officer in the Moroccan Tirailleurs and died fighting for FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
at the Battle of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
, on May 13, 1944. He belonged to a family of ancient nobility in France
French nobility
The French nobility was the privileged order of France in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern periods.In the political system of the Estates General, the nobility made up the Second Estate...
, originally from Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre
Lower Navarre is a part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques département of France. Along with Navarre of Spain, it was once ruled by the Kings of Navarre. Lower Navarre was historically one of the kingdoms of Navarre. Its capital were Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Saint-Palais...
, who held the seigneurie of Belzunce near Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
, where the family was notable since the 12th century, and had received the Honneurs de la Cour
Honneurs de la Cour
The Honneurs de la Cour were ceremonious presentations to the sovereign at the Royal Court of France which were formal for women but more casual for men. It was a very prestigious honour only granted to the families of ancient nobility...
at Paris in 1739.
On August 20, 1949 her mother was re-married, to Prince Erik Engelbert, 11th Duke of Arenberg. In 1951, she moved with her family to Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
because her family feared expansion of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. On 15 February 1956 Laetitia and her brother, Rodrigue, were adopted by her step-father, Prince Erik Engelbert. Although the adoption did not entitle her to use or inherit his family's dynastic
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
titles and styles of prince, duke and Serene Highness
Serene Highness
His/Her Serene Highness is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also preceded the princely titles of members of some German ruling and mediatised dynasties as well as some non-ruling but princely German noble families until 1918...
, her legal surname became "de Belzunce d'Arenberg", and she became one of the heirs to his personal fortune.
Marriage
On June 19, 1965 she was married civilly to HIRH Archduke Leopold Franz of Austria-TuscanyArchduke Leopold Franz of Austria
Archduke Leopold Franz of Austria was a member of the Tuscan line of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and Archduke and Prince of Austria, Prince of Hungary, Bohemia, and Tuscany by birth...
at St. Gilgen
St. Gilgen
Sankt Gilgen is a picturesque village by the Wolfgangsee in the Austrian state of Salzburg, in the "Salzkammergut" region.-History:In the year 1376 Sankt Gilgen was first mentioned in documents. 1873 the shipping on the Wolfgangsee started and so did the tourism too. Also the construction of the...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, the religious nuptials followed on 28 July at Menetou-Salon
Menetou-Salon
Menetou-Salon is a commune in the Cher department in the Centre region of France. Inhabitants of the area are known as Monestrosaloniens.-Geography:The commune is located 16 kilometres North of Bourges on the RD11....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Their first child, Archduke Sigismund of Austria-Tuscany
Archduke Sigismund, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Archduke Sigismund of Austria, Grand Duke of Tuscany is the titular Grand Duke of Tuscany and current head of the Tuscan branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.-Biography:Sigismund was born in Lausanne the son of Archduke Leopold Franz and his first wife Princess...
, now head of the Tuscan Grand Ducal branch of the Imperial House of Habsburg, was born at Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, on 21 April 1966. Their second child, Archduke Guntram Maria Josef of Austria-Tuscany, was born at Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Uruguay on 21 June 1967.
Laetitia and her husband divorced on 21 May 1981 at Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. Leopold Franz moved to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, re-married a commoner in June 1993 (and was again divorced in 1998), renouncing his headship of the House of Tuscany
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was a central Italian monarchy that existed, with interruptions, from 1569 to 1859, replacing the Duchy of Florence. The grand duchy's capital was Florence...
in favor of his and Laetitia's elder son on 12 April 1994, while Laetitia remained in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. Some years later she was re-married, to John Anson.
Endeavors
She is the owner of many companies, including Las Rosas, Simoca (Lapataia), Liderak (Mondial/Juki motorcycle importer), Bor (Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
and Great Wall Motor automobiles importer), Nimansur (JAC Motors trucks importer), and others.
Honours
By decree of the President of the French RepublicPresident of the French Republic
The President of the French Republic colloquially referred to in English as the President of France, is France's elected Head of State....
, Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
, on April 10, 2009, Laetitia d'Arenberg was accorded the medal of the Legion of Honor in the grade of Knight (Chevalier). This distinction was awarded in recognition of her 30 years of professional success which encompassed commitment to numerous social projects in Uruguay, particularly to benefit disadvantaged children and young people addicted to drugs. The official award ceremony occurred on 24 September, sponsored by a French Senate delegation during an official visit to Uruguay, led by Senator Jean-Marc Pastor
Jean-Marc Pastor
Jean-Marc Pastor is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Tarn department. He is a member of the Socialist Party.-References:*...
, accompanied by Senators Rémy Pointereau
Rémy Pointereau
Rémy Pointereau is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Cher department. He is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement.-References:*...
, François Fortassin
François Fortassin
François Fortassin is a French politician and a member of the Senate of France. He represents the Hautes-Pyrénées department and is a secretary of the Senate and a member of the Radical Party of the Left.-References:*...
, Gérard Miquel
Gérard Miquel
Gérard Miquel is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Lot department. He is a member of the Socialist Party.-References:*...
and Annie Jarraud-Vergnolle
Annie Jarraud-Vergnolle
Annie Jarraud-Vergnolle is a member of the Senate of France, representing the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. She is a member of the Socialist Party.-References:*...
.
See also
- Uruguayan peopleUruguayan peopleUruguayan people or Uruguayans are the citizens of Uruguay, or its descendants abroad. Uruguay is a multiethnic society, which means that it is home to people of many different ethnical backgrounds...
- Punta del EstePunta del EstePunta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...
- House of ArenbergHouse of ArenbergThe House of Arenberg is an aristocratic lineage that is constituted by three successive families who took their name from Arenberg, a small principality of the Holy Roman Empire in the Eifel. The inheritance of the House of Croÿ-Aarschot made the Arenbergs the most influential and most wealthy...
- French UruguayanFrench UruguayanA French Uruguayan is an Uruguayan citizen of full or partial French ancestry. French Uruguayan form the third largest ancestry group after Spanish Uruguayans and Italian Uruguayans. Until 1853, France constituted the main source of immigrants to Uruguay...