Nicholas IV Esterházy de Galantha

Nicholas IV Esterházy

Family tree of the Esterházy princes

Nikolas and his wife Margit

Prince Nikolaus IV. Esterházy de Galantha (born July 5, 1869 in Vienna ; † April 6, 1920 in Ödenburg ) led his family out of the financial crisis, but in return had to end the monarchy in large parts of Europe, including Austria and Hungary , experience first hand.

Life

Nikolaus IV. Was the son of Paul IV. He took over the majorate from his father, who had held it for just four years. Immediately after taking office, he finally took care of eliminating the sequestration, the financial crisis that had arisen due to the lifestyle of Prince Nikolaus II. Esterházy . Nevertheless, Paul IV managed to consolidate the finances and shake off the debt burden through strong reforms. But as with every financial reform in the Esterházy house , patronage suffered greatly. Above all, the family castles were and were badly affected, especially Esterháza Palace. Only after the general consolidation of the family finances could the castles be largely restored.

Shortly after his appointment as head of the family, he, like almost every Esterházy prince, received the Order of the Golden Fleece .

Its hardest time began with the outbreak of the First World War and the associated fall of the monarchy. When the monarchy collapsed in 1918 and was completely dissolved and abolished, the prince became melancholy. He now saw his position in immediate danger, above all he was concerned about the administration of the territories that were scattered in Austria and Hungary and threatened to break up.

Nevertheless, he took an active part in the staff and cabinet of Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary and tried to urge him to finally renounce the Hungarian crown, which he never did. The prince became weaker and weaker through these incisions, until he finally died in 1920 in Ödenburg .

Marriage and offspring

On November 16, 1898 he married Countess Margit Maria Ludovika Cziráky von Czirák and Dénesfalva. In addition to their successor Paul (V) , the couple had two other sons: Anton (1903–1944) and Ladislaus (1905–2000).

predecessor	Office	successor
Paul IV	Majority lord of the Esterházy family 1898–1920	Paul V.

personal data
SURNAME	Esterházy de Galantha, Nicholas IV.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Esterházy de Galantha, Prince Nicholas IV
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Noblemen in Austria and Hungary
DATE OF BIRTH	July 5, 1869
PLACE OF BIRTH	Vienna
DATE OF DEATH	April 6, 1920
Place of death	Ödenburg