History is full of leaders who have had eventful reigns. But which monarchs have had the longest reigns in all of history? Here, Konstant Teleshov tells us the 12 longest reigning monarchs in all history.
King Louis XIV of France in 1673. Louis XIV was King of France for over 70 years.
In today's democratic world, it is difficult to imagine that one person remained in power for many decades. This applies particularly to countries with a republican form of government, where the head of state is elected for a specific term, about 5 years on average, by popular vote. Many readers may argue that there are still states with a monarchical form of government, both constitutional and absolute. Also, over the past 100 years, the world has seen many dictators who came to power through revolutions and military coups. The most famous of them include Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba for 50 years, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi (42 years in power), Iraqi tyrant Saddam Hussein (24 years in power), and Alfredo Stroessner, who was the leader of Paraguay for 35 years. A good example of a constitutional monarch is the current Queen of the UK, Elizabeth II. She has been ruling since 1952 (for 68 years as of 2020), but this is not the longest tenure on the throne - not only in the world but even among European monarchs.
However, history knows 12 rulers, Elizabeth II aside, who ruled their country for more than 65 years. Who are they?
Important note: in this article I will not consider the monarchs whose years in power are not officially confirmed, like the Egyptian Pharaoh Pepi II Neferkare, who, according to some sources, had ruled for more than 90 years. I will also not include in this list monarchs who were co-rulers like Constantine VIII, who was nominal co-emperor of Byzantine Empire for 63 years.
12. Ferdinand IV (1759 - 1825) (ruler for 65 years and 90 days)
Ferdinand IV officially became the King of Naples at the age of 8, when his father, Charles XII, went to reign in Spain. It happened in 1759. He is also known as King of the Two Sicilies as Ferdinand I (1816-1825) and King of Sicily as Ferdinand III (1759-1816).
The future ruler was not interested in ruling his state, so he received education only at the minimum level. Ferdinand IV liked to have fun and hunt; indeed, in spirit he was closer to the people than to the aristocracy of that time. In foreign policy, the king became an active opponent of the French Revolution, therefore the Neapolitan Kingdom participated in anti-French coalitions. The reason for this was the king’s wife, Maria Carolina of Austria, who was extremely indignant at the execution of the royal couple by revolutionaries. She had a great influence on the activities of her spouse, who founded the silk spinning mill and the Royal Nunziatella Military Academy in Naples. After the start of the Napoleonic wars, Ferdinand IV actively fought the French Empire, but he was forced to flee the country under the threat of invasion from the French three times. Probably his greatest achievement is the founding of an astronomical observatory in Palermo in 1790.
11. Basil II Porphyrogenitus (960 - 1025) (ruler for 65 years and 237 days)
The future emperor of the Byzantine Empire, Basil II, was born in 958 in the city of Constantinople. Two years later, he was crowned as co-emperor of state, which was inherited by his father Roman II. Over the next 13 years, many uprisings and internecine wars took place, before in 976 Basil II began to rule alone.
First of all, he introduced a new tax for large landowners. In addition to the fact that this was a new source of income for the state treasury, the emperor also strengthened imperial power. In foreign policy, Basil II was much more active than his father, annexing many new territories to his big state. The wars with the First Bulgarian Empire were marked by unprecedented cruelty even for that time. For example, after the capture of 15,000 Bulgarians, the emperor ordered them to have their eyes taken out and then to be sent home alive. Because of this decision, he got the nickname "the Bulgar Slayer". Basil II also concluded a profitable military-political alliance with Venice, which supplied its ships for the rapid movement of Byzantine troops.
In general, the reign of Basil II became an era of stability and power of the Byzantine Empire. He proved himself to be a tough and wise ruler, strengthening his state both from an economic and political point of view.
10. Franz Joseph I (1848 - 1916) (ruler for 67 years and 355 days)
The man, who became a real symbol of conservatism, was born on August 18, 1830. Franz Joseph I, who used to get up early in the morning from childhood, taught the inhabitants of the huge Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was inhabited by Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Austrians and other nations, about his daily routine. He ascended the throne on December 2, 1848. This year went down in history as the "spring of nations". Young Franz realized that a cruel policy towards his own people could be the cause of the revolution, so he tried not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors. Many historians call him the last ruler of the “old order,” who managed to unite several nations and preserve an empire that collapsed two years after his death.
Firstly, Franz Joseph I compromised the demands of the Hungarian people and made Austria-Hungary a dualistic monarchy. Secondly, he managed to reach a peace agreement with Prussia and Russia. So, Prussia became the center of the unification of the German lands in a single empire, and Russia helped Austria-Hungary to wage wars with the Ottoman Empire, because both states had their own interests in the Balkans. Thirdly, and unusually for a European leader at the time, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary had no disagreement with the Pope.
He was also known for his conservatism, simplicity of life, etiquette, and traditions. He called himself "the last monarch of the old school". After his brother was shot in Mexico, the emperor did not receive Mexican ambassadors for the rest of his life. He never got a phone in the palace and had a hard time agreeing to electricity. Franz Josef survived 4 heirs to the throne, so after his death, 29-year-old Charles I of Austria ascended to the throne.
9. Pacal the Great (615 - 683) (ruler for 68 years and 33 days)
Hanaab Pacal is the most famous of all the kings in the history of the classical Maya. His reign is an excellent example of how deeply an outstanding person can leave a mark on history. In the history of the Baakul Kingdom, Pacal I the Great occupies a central place. His descendants constantly used the legacy of the glorious ancestor and the fact of their descent from him to strengthen their own legitimacy. In our time, Pacal I and his tomb in the "Temple of the Inscriptions" have become one of the symbols of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.
It has been established that Hanaab Pacal was born in March 603, and spent his childhood in Lakam-Ha (Palenque). However, he belonged to the previous dynasty of the rulers of this city only through his mother. Pacal ascended the throne at the age of 12, but really began to rule after the death of his mother in 640 and his father in 642. The stabilization of the economic and political situation of Palenque allowed the new ruler to begin a large-scale construction program in the capital of the Baakul Kingdom. During this time, improvements in construction techniques took place, which made it possible to expand the size of the space covered with a stone roof and create a local architectural style distinguished by elegance and harmony. It is important to note that Hanaab had impeccable artistic taste. In posthumous inscriptions he is called "the owner of the five pyramids".
Pacal the Great is also known for his successful military campaigns, in which he was opposed by the alliance of states located on the east of Palenque: K'ina (Piedras Negras), Pipa (Pomona or El Arenal), Vak'aab (Santa Elena Balancan), Ho -Pet (on the middle Usumasint), and the Kanul Kingdom. Hanaab managed to win several important victories, expanding the territory and increasing the influence of the Baakul Kingdom in the region.
8. Frederick III (1424 - 1493) (ruler for 69 years)
The future last emperor of medieval Europe was born on September 21, 1415, in Tyrol. Frederick III received the title of Duke of Styria when he was only 9 years old. He became king of Germany and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation over the next 18 years. Frederick III became the last emperor who was crowned in Rome.
During this reign, there was the beginning of an active invasion of Austrian lands by the Ottoman Empire and its vassals. The first clashes occurred in 1469. In the western direction Frederick III acted ineffectively. The Swiss Confederation forced him to recognize the independence of the Swiss cantons, but the French power became the main enemy of the Habsburg dynasty for many centuries to come.
On the whole, the personality of Frederick III is rather contradictory. On the one hand, he failed to strengthen imperial power. Major feudal lords strengthened their influence in the state. Austria under Frederick III did not become the center of a future empire; it would happen with his son Maximilian I. The financial system was in a protracted crisis. Territorial concessions were also made in favor of Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. On the other hand, the emperor was able to lay the foundations for the future prosperity of the house of the Hapsburgs. His son Maximilian married Mary of Burgundy. This marriage determined the fate of Europe for several centuries.
7. Johann II the Good (1858 - 1929) (ruler for 70 years and 91 days)
How to keep a tiny state in the heart of Europe? How to make it the scientific and cultural center of the continent? Johann II, who ruled Liechtenstein for 70 years, knew the answers to these questions.
He was born on October 5, 1840. The young man received an excellent education in Belgium, France, and Germany. He ascended to the throne on November 11, 1858, and remained on it until his death. He carried out a number of significant reforms that changed the state for the better. Firstly, Liechtenstein became independent in 1866. Secondly, Johann II ordered the dissolution of the army, consisting of 80 people, and declared his principality a neutral state following the example of Switzerland. Thirdly, a Parliament and State Bank were formed. The adoption of a new constitution in 1921 marked the beginning of close cooperation between Liechtenstein and Switzerland against the backdrop of global political changes in Europe after the First World War.
Johann II also actively invested in science, art, reconstructed medieval castles, and donated money to charity. In particular, he helped the Historical Museum of Vienna (it is the "Vienna Museum" now) in the creation of an art gallery. The prince was quite a closed man, so he never married. As a result, he did not leave heirs, and after his death, power passed to the brother of Johann II, Franz.
6. Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946 - 2016) (ruler for 70 years and 126 days)
Bhumibol Adulyadej is known as the monarch under whom Thailand went from an undeveloped state to a popular and well-known country. His reign spans an era during which the world has changed beyond recognition.
The future king was born on December 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the family of His Royal Majesty Prince Mahidon Adunyadet and Mom Sangwal. The young man received secondary and higher education in Switzerland, where he lived until the end of World War II. His older brother Ananda Mahidol also studied in Switzerland and held the title of King of Thailand. The king was found shot to death in his own bedroom in the palace on June 9, 1946. 18-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne, but he was officially crowned on May 5, 1950, under the name Rama IX. The people of Thailand treated the new king as a symbol of the nation, and not as a real monarch. This was due to the fact that the royal family had lived abroad for a long time. Despite this, Rama IX repeatedly made important political decisions, and also enjoyed the right of veto. He was instrumental in the democratization of Thailand in the 1990s. For example, the king forced the resignation of Prime Minister General Suchind Krapayun, who brutally cracked down on pro-democracy demonstrators in Bangkok. The king was engaged in the development of agriculture, and this contributed to the emergence of Thailand as a major rice exporter. He used some of his money to fund more than 3,000 development projects, especially in rural parts of the country. The standard of living of some rural residents has improved significantly. Bhumibol also initiated the creation of a special squadron of aircraft. Under Rama IX, dairy farming was established in Thailand, and Thai schoolchildren in the 1960s were provided with milk as a source of calcium. The poverty rate of the population fell from 67% to 11%. The king did much to improve the living standards of the people in the border provinces of the country: during the development of these areas, hundreds of schools and hospitals were built in the mountain villages. At the initiative of the monarch, the Thai government negotiated peace and amnesty with communist insurgents from partisan groups operating in the central and northeastern regions of the country in the late 1970s. Parallel to this, Thailand hosted an American base for Southeast Asia.
Bhumibol Adulyadej held a patent for the creation of artificial clouds. He developed projects for bridges and dams, played the saxophone professionally, was fond of photography, painting and sailing, and designed racing yachts. In youth, he was also fond of music: Rama IX wrote compositions himself. He achieved the greatest success in jazz music. One of his compositions became the first number of the program in one of the musical productions on Broadway in the early 1950s. Bhumibol was also fluent in three European languages - English, German and French
5. Louis XIV (1643 - 1715) (ruler for 72 years and 110 days)
King Louis XIV’s reign in France stretched for over 72 years. This was the real heyday of the French state in all areas: economic, military and cultural. The “Sun King” was born on September 5, 1638. He was a welcome child and heir to the French throne. Louis XIV became a king after the death of his father, Louis XIII, at 5 years old. Until 1661, the country was ruled by Cardinal Mazarin, while the young king grew up and received an education. He promised himself that he would not allow any restrictions on the power of the king, because he did not like the events of the Fronde. From that moment, Louis XIV became associated with absolute monarchy. He owns the famous phrase: "The state is me”.
The French king pursued clever and prudent policy. France conducted a large number of military campaigns, most of which ended successfully. Louis XIV actively strengthened his power. He carried out a military reform (the introduction of a special tax to create an army) and persecuted the Huguenots (through the abolition of the Nantes decree). The Sun King knew how to appoint talented people to important government posts, but in the second half of his reign, royal favorites began to take their places. During his reign, science, architecture and painting developed actively. Versailles became a symbol of absolutism and the rich life of the aristocracy of that time. France became a great power in Europe.
However, the state was weakened due to the high costs of the army and the cost of the aristocracy by the end of the Sun King's reign. Louis XIV left his descendants a country that needed changes.
4. Afonso I the Great (1112 - 1185) (ruler for 73 years)
Afonso I the Great is considered the founding father of Portugal. He was born on June 25, 1195 in Coimbra, after which he moved to Guimaraes. In this town he spent his childhood. Portugal at that time was not an independent state. It was a province that was dependent on Castile and Leon. Afonso was driven out of the country by his mother at age 11. Her name was Teresa Leonskaya, and she ruled the county after the death of Heinrich of Burgundy in 1112. When Afonso was 14 years old, he gathered an army and invaded the territory of the county of Portugal. In the battle of Guimaraes, the young man defeated his mother’s army. She was sent to the monastery. After that, the young earl began to rule the region. On July 26, 1139, Portugal became a kingdom, and Afonso I became its first ruler. The Portuguese felt like a nation thanks to the king. He also had 12 children, some of whom died in childhood.
3. Bhagwat Singh (1869 - 1944) (ruler for 74 years and 87 days)
The future Indian ruler prince was born on October 24, 1865. He ascended the throne of the principality of Gondal, when he was only 4 years old. It was one of many states in India. The country was ruled by the British Empire, but Bhagwat Singh ruled the state. He received a good education from Rajkumar College, which was located in Rajkot. After that, the Indian prince went to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Bhagwat Singh studied there from 1892 to 1895. He was attracted by the ideas of enlightened absolutism, and pursued such an approach in his principality.
During his reign, the rapid development of infrastructure began, free education became available, and telegraph lines and high-quality railways appeared. The merits of the long-lived prince were noted at the highest level: the British monarch awarded him the title of Knight of the British Empire.
2. Bernard VII (1429 - 1511) (ruler for 81 years and 234 days)
For many centuries, the German people did not have a single state. Indeed, for a long time (962 - 1806) the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation existed. This empire included many dukedoms, counties, and other small states. One of these states was Lippe-Detmold. Its ruler, Bernard VII, lived a long and eventful life. He was born on December 4, 1428. When he was one-year-old, his father died, and he was proclaimed leader on August 11, 1929, the Lord of Lippe. Until 1433, his uncle Otto was the regent. After his death, the education of the future ruler was taken over by his great-uncle Didrich von Moers, who was the apostolic administrator of the Paderborn principality-bishopric. Bernard VII officially began to rule in 1446. He is considered the longest-serving monarch in European history.
During his time in power, the state significantly strengthened its economy and prestige in the eyes of other German powers. Bernard VII got the name "the Bellicose" because of his passion for military affairs. He died on April 2, 1511, after living for 83 years. This is an incredible age for the Middle Ages. Former Queen of the Netherlands Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard is a direct descendant of Bernard VII.
1. Sobhuza II (1899 - 1982) (ruler for 83 years)
I am glad to present you the official winner of our ranking- Sobhuza II. I think the expression "Born and died on the throne" is perfect for this person. Throughout most of his life, Sobhuza II bore the title of Supreme Leader of Swaziland. He became King of Swaziland only on September 2, 1968, after which he reigned for 14 years until August 21, 1982.
The future king was born on June 22, 1899. After 4 months, he became the Supreme leader of Swaziland after the death of his father, Ngwane V. As the boy grew, power was in the hands of his relatives. The young man successfully received a secondary and higher education at the National Swazi School and the Lavdale Institute, which is located in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. The coronation of Sobhuza II took place in 1921. So, his reign in power lasted for 61 years, also a world record. During this historical period, many events occurred, of which the Second World War and post-war decolonization should be singled out. The British Empire granted independence to Swaziland in 1968. This was a real success of the foreign policy of Sobhuza II. He became the 7th king of Swaziland that year too. In domestic policy, the king devoted much time to solving the problems of land surveying. Thanks to this, the country had significant income from natural resource extraction.
King Sobhuza II also led an active personal life. In different sources, historians indicate that he had from 60 to 80 wives.
Which long-reigning leader most fascinates you? Let us know below.
References
Link № 1. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Basil-II]
Link № 2. [https://academickids.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Ferdinand_I_of_the_Two_Sicilies]
Link № 3. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Franz-Joseph]
Link № 4. [http://www.friedrichiii.his-gis.net/index_en.html]
Link № 5. [http://about-liechtenstein.co.uk/index.php/history/royals/johann-2]
Link № 6. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XIV-king-of-France]
Link №7. [https://www.geni.com/people/Afonso-I-o-Conquistador-rei-de-Portugal/6000000002244370573]
Link № 8. [http://www.royalark.net/India/gondal.htm]
Link № 9. [https://www.ed.ac.uk/alumni/services/notable-alumni/alumni-in-history/bhagvat-singh]
Link № 10. [https://www.revolvy.com/page/Bernard-VII%2C-Lord-of-Lippe]
Link № 11. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sobhuza-II]
Link № 12. [https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-sobhuza-ii-44585]
Link № 13. [https://www.ancient.eu/Kinich_Janaab_Pacal/]
Link № 14. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bhumibol-Adulyadej]
