Every family has its story, but the Habsburg family changed the entire European history. For hundreds of years, they ruled Europe. Kings, queens, and emperors were everywhere. They changed Europe in ways people still talk about.
But behind the crowns and big palaces were real people with family bonds, fights, and surprises. Their Habsburg family tree is full of marriages, surprises, and connections that affected many generations. Some choices gave them power, while others caused problems.
In this guide, we'll have a detailed look at the Habsburg family tree. In the end, you'll learn how to make a family tree.
In this article
Habsburg Family Tree
The Habsburg family story is full of surprises, murders, clever marriages, wars, and sad endings. Let's look at the family, starting with Rudolf I., and trace the history of the family back to the present head, Karl von Habsburg.
Rudolf I (1218-1291)
It all starts with Rudolf I. He was the first German king of the Habsburg dynasty. He won wars against rivals like Ottokar II of Bohemia and gained popularity. In 1273, he was chosen King of the Romans. This was the start of Habsburg power in Europe.
Rudolf II & Albrecht I
Rudolf's sons kept the family strong. Rudolf II ruled parts of Austria but stayed in the background. His brother, Albrecht I, became King of Germany and made the Habsburgs stronger. In 1308, he was killed by his own nephew.
Johan & Albrecht II
Albrecht I's sons were the next generation. Johan stayed mostly in the background. Albrecht II kept Austria strong. These quiet rulers helped the family survive during hard times.
Albrecht III, Leopold III & Rudolf IV
The family split into branches here. Rudolf IV was clever. He even called himself "Archduke of Austria" to make his family stronger. Albrecht III and Leopold III also ruled. Leopold's children helped divide and grow the family lines.
Albrecht IV & Ernest "the Iron"
Albrecht IV ruled for a short time. His brother Ernest was stronger and stricter. People called him "the Iron." From him came many important future emperors.
Albert II (Albert V of Austria)
Albert II became King of Hungary, Bohemia, and the Romans. But he died young. Even so, his rule showed how important the Habsburgs were in Europe.
Friedrich III & Eleonore of Portugal
Friedrich III was the first Habsburg to be fully crowned Holy Roman Emperor. His marriage to Eleonore of Portugal brought money and respect. His son would take the family to even greater heights.
Maximilian I & Marie of Burgundy
Maximilian I is a major Habsburg figure. By marrying Marie of Burgundy, he gained lots of land, including the Netherlands. He used marriage to grow power. This plan helped the Habsburgs for many generations.
Philip I "the Handsome" & Joanna of Castile
Their son Philip married Joanna of Castile. She was the daughter of Spain's Ferdinand and Isabella. This linked the Habsburgs to Spain. From here, the family split into two lines: the Spanish Habsburgs and the Austrian Habsburgs.
The Spanish Habsburgs
Charles V / Karl V (1500-1558)
Charles, son of Philip and Joanna, inherited a huge empire. People said the sun never set on it because it was so big. He ruled Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, and the Americas. As Holy Roman Emperor, he showed the peak of Habsburg power. In 1556, he gave up the throne. His brother Ferdinand took Austria. His son Philip got Spain.
Philip II of Spain (1527-1598)
Philip II ruled during Spain's golden time. He built the palace of El Escorial. He supported the Catholic Church. He also ruled lands in the Americas and Asia. But he faced many problems. He was defeated and dethroned in 1588.
Philip III & Philip IV
Philip III let his helpers do most of the ruling. Philip IV oversaw Spain's art and culture. Famous painters like Velázquez worked for him. But Spain's power was shrinking. During his reign, wars and debt made the country weaker.
Charles II "the Bewitched" (1661-1700)
The last Spanish Habsburg, Charles II, was weak. He could not have children. His death in 1700 ended the Spanish line. This caused the War of the Spanish Succession.
The Austrian Habsburgs
Ferdinand I (1503-1564)
Charles V's brother Ferdinand got Austria and the emperor's crown. He became Holy Roman Emperor and started the Austrian Habsburg line. He ruled Central Europe during the Reformation. At that time, religion caused many conflicts.
Maximilian II, Rudolf II & Matthias
Ferdinand's son, Maximilian II, tried to calm religious fights. Rudolf II loved art and made Prague a cultural center. But he was not as strong a ruler. Matthias followed. Religious fights grew, leading to the Thirty Years' War.
Ferdinand II & Ferdinand III
Ferdinand II was a strong Catholic. He started the Thirty Years' War by fighting Protestants. His son Ferdinand III led during the war. Finally, the war came to an end with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
Leopold I (1640-1705)
Leopold I ruled for almost 50 years. He fought France and the Ottomans. He also won the Siege of Vienna in 1683. His long rule kept the Habsburgs strong in Central Europe.
Joseph I & Charles VI
Leopold's sons took over. Joseph I died young, and Charles VI became emperor. He made the Pragmatic Sanction. This allowed his daughter Maria Theresa to inherit the throne.
Maria Theresa (1717-1780) & Francis I of Lorraine
Maria Theresa was a great ruler. She modernized Austria and defended her land in war. She had 16 children, including Marie Antoinette of France. Her marriage to Francis I of Lorraine created the Habsburg-Lorraine line.
Joseph II & Leopold II
Her son Joseph II made reforms. He allowed religious freedom and ended serfdom. Not all reforms lasted. Leopold II ruled for a short time but kept the peace.
Francis II (Franz I of Austria)
Leopold's son, Francis II, was the last Holy Roman Emperor. After Napoleon, he ended the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. He became Emperor of Austria. This started the Austrian Empire.
Ferdinand I & Franz Joseph I
Francis's son Ferdinand I was kind but sick. He gave up the throne in 1848. His nephew, Franz Joseph I, ruled for almost 70 years. He led a modernizing but troubled empire. Though his wife Elisabeth "Sisi" was loved by the people.
Crown Prince Rudolf
Their only son, Rudolf, died in 1889. It may have been a murder-suicide. He left no children.
Franz Ferdinand (1863-1914)
Next was Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He was Franz Joseph's nephew. His assassination in 1914 started World War I.
Karl I & Empress Zita
After Franz Joseph died in 1916, Karl I became Austria's last Emperor. He tried to stop World War I. But the empire fell in 1918. He died young in exile. His wife Zita lived until 1989.
Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011) & Regina
Karl and Zita's eldest son, Otto, led the family. He never became emperor. He fought Hitler and worked in European politics. His wife, Regina, helped with charity and family matters.
Karl von Habsburg (1961)
Today, Karl von Habsburg leads the family. He is Otto's son. He works in politics. He also works to protect the history of the Habsburg family. The family may not rule anymore. But people still remember their story across Europe.
How to Make Similar Family Trees?
Putting all these family members together and connecting according to their relationship is not impossible, but difficult indeed. I have used Wondershare EdrawMind to sketch the Habsburg family tree. Here is how:
Step 1: Create a New File
- Click the Create button at the top-left corner.
- Click Blank Mind Map to start a new file.
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Step 2: Add a Title
- Rename the main topic to the Habsburg Family Tree.
- You can also add an image of the name instead of writing it.
Step 3: Add Main Branches & Founding Members
- Click the root node and add two subtopics for the main branches.
- Add Austrian Habsburgs and Spanish Habsburgs.
- Also, add the founding members of the family.
Step 4: Add Family Members
- Under each branch, add subtopics for important family members.
- Add all important family members one by one.
Step 5: Customize the Tree
- Use the floating and right toolbar to customize your family tree.
- Adjust node shapes, fonts, and spacing to make the tree easier to read.
Step 6: Save or Export Your Family Tree
- Click the File icon at the top-left corner.
- Click Save to download your work.
- Or choose Export to save in your preferred format (PDF, PNG, etc.).
Closure
The Habsburg family’s story shows how one family could shape all of Europe. Their history is full of rulers, wars, and strong family ties. You can also explore your own roots. Use EdrawMind to make a simple and beautiful family tree that tells your family’s story in your own way.
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