The last king of Italy, reigning for only 35 days in 1946, before being exiled after a referendum established the Italian Republic. He's known for his brief, tumultuous reign and subsequent exile.
Known for his brief but tumultuous reign, Umberto II of Italy was the last king of Italy, ruling for only 34 days in 1946. His reign was marked by controversy and ultimately led to the abolition of the Italian monarchy.
Umberto was born on September 15, 1904, at the Castle of Racconigi in Piedmont, Italy, to King Victor Emmanuel III and Elena of Montenegro. As the only son among five children, he was destined for greatness, receiving a classical education and training for a military career.
Umberto's rise to power began during World War II, when he commanded an army group during the brief Italian invasion of France. In 1942, he was promoted to Marshal of Italy, but his military career was largely inactive during the war. However, he turned against the war following Italian defeats at Stalingrad and El Alamein, and tacitly supported the ouster of Benito Mussolini.
In 1944, Victor Emmanuel III, compromised by his association with Italian fascism, transferred most of his powers to Umberto, making him Lieutenant General of the Realm. Later that year, Victor Emmanuel abdicated the throne in favor of Umberto, hoping that his exit might bolster the monarchy. However, the 1946 Italian institutional referendum saw voters overwhelmingly voting to abolish the monarchy, and Italy was declared a republic days later.
Following the abolition of the monarchy, Umberto departed Italy, and he was barred from returning, along with other male members of the House of Savoy. He lived out the rest of his life in exile in Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera. Umberto died on March 18, 1983, at the age of 78, in Geneva Cantonal Hospital.
Umberto's legacy is marked by controversy and tragedy. His brief reign was marked by turmoil, and his failure to reform the monarchy ultimately led to its abolition. Despite this, he remains an important figure in Italian history, a symbol of the country's tumultuous past.
Umberto's reign marked the end of the Italian monarchy, a institution that had been in place for centuries. His failure to reform the monarchy and adapt to the changing times ultimately led to its downfall. Despite this, he remains an important figure in Italian history, a symbol of the country's struggle to find its place in the modern world.
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