Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt

Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt (11 January 1901 18 February 1947) was the last ruler of the Duchy of Anhalt.

Joachim Ernst
Duke of Anhalt
Joachim Ernst in 1918
Duke of Anhalt
Reign13 September 1918 – 12 November 1918
PredecessorEduard
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
Born(1901-01-11)11 January 1901
Ballenstedt, Anhalt
Died18 February 1947(1947-02-18) (aged 46)
NKVD special camp Nr. 2 in Buchenwald
SpouseElisabeth Strickrodt, Countess of Askanien
Edda-Charlotte von Stephani-Marwitz
Issue
Full name
Joachim Ernst Wilhelm Karl Albrecht Leopold Friedrich Moritz Erdmann
HouseHouse of Ascania
FatherEduard, Duke of Anhalt
MotherPrincess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg

Life

He was born in Dessau, the son of Duke Eduard of Anhalt (1861–1918) and Princess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg (1873–1953), the daughter of Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg.

He succeeded his father as Duke of Anhalt on 13 September 1918. However, due to his age, his uncle Prince Aribert of Anhalt was appointed regent. His brief reign came to an end on 12 November 1918, with his uncle abdicating in his name following the German revolution. The duchy became the Free State of Anhalt and is today part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

He died at the Buchenwald concentration camp after World War II as a prisoner of the Soviet Union, when it was called NKVD special camp Nr. 2.

Following his death, the headship of the Ducal House of Anhalt was disputed between his elder son, Prince Friedrich, and brother Prince Eugen.[1][2]

Marriages and children

In Ballenstedt Castle on 3 March 1927, Joachim Ernst married firstly Elisabeth Strickrodt (Plauen, 3 September 1903 – Berlin-Zehlendorf, 5 January 1971), a daughter of an opera singer. She was created Countess of Askanien, but they were divorced in 1929.

In Ballenstedt Castle on 15 October 1929, Joachim Ernst married secondly Edda-Charlotte von Stephani-Marwitz (Düsseldorf, 20 August 1905 – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 22 February 1986), who was adopted as an adult by Bertha von Stephani, reputedly for a payment of 10,000 marks, in order to improve her social standing.[3] They had five children:

  • Marie Antoinette Elisabeth Alexandra Irmgard Edda Charlotte (14 July 1930 – 22 March 1993), married firstly 1957 (div. 1968) Karl-Heinz Guttmann and secondly 1974 (div. 1976) Max Riederer.
  • Anna Luise Marie Friederike Elisabeth Alice (26 March 1933 – 1 November 2003), married 1966 (div. 1970) Thomas Birch.
  • Leopold Friedrich Franz Sieghard Hubertus Erdmann (11 April 1938 – 9 October 1963).
  • Edda Adelheid Antoinette Emma Elisabeth (born 30 January 1940), married 1974 Albert Darboven.
  • Eduard Julius Ernst August Erdmann (born 3 December 1941)

Honours and awards

Dynastic honours

House of Ascania

Nongovernmental organizations

Slovakia, Servare et Manere

Ancestry

References

  1. Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (ed.) (1977). Burke's Royal Families of the World, 1st edition. London: Burke's Peerage. pp. 195–196. ISBN 0-85011-023-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels: Furstliche Hauser Band III. C. A. Starke Verlag. 1955. p. 3.
  3. "Adel: Eheskandale im Hause Anhalt". Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2016-05-10.
  4. Sobola, Marek (2021-01-11). "A special award of the project Tree of Peace". Tree of peace / Strom pokoja. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt
Born: 11 January 1901 Died: 18 February 1947
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Duke Eduard
Duke of Anhalt
13 September – 12 November 1918
Vacant
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Duke Eduard
Grand Master of the Order of Albert the Bear
13 September 1918 – 18 February 1947
Succeeded by
Prince Friedrich
Titles in pretence
Loss of title
 TITULAR 
Duke of Anhalt
12 November 1918 - 18 February 1947
Succeeded by
Prince Friedrich
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