Philip of Habsburg Biography: Age, Net Worth, Spouse, Children, Sibling, Height, Cause of Death, Parent, Family

Philip the Handsome, also known as Felipe el Hermoso in Spanish, was a significant figure in European history due to his brief reign as King of Castile and his role in the expansion of the Habsburg dynasty.

Born into the powerful Habsburg family, he became the first Habsburg monarch in Spain through his marriage to Joanna of Castile.

His political alliances and progeny laid the foundation for the extensive Habsburg influence across Europe in the subsequent centuries.

Profile

• Full name: Philip of Habsburg
• Nickname: Philip the Handsome
• Date of birth: July 22, 1478
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Bruges, County of Flanders, Burgundian Netherlands
• Nationality: Burgundian
• Profession: Monarch
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor; Mary of Burgundy
• Siblings: Margaret of Austria
• Spouse: Joanna of Castile
• Children: Eleanor of Austria, Charles V, Isabella of Austria, Ferdinand I, Mary of Hungary, Catherine of Austria
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Catholicism
• Net worth: $100 million

Early Life and Education

Philip the Handsome was born on July 22, 1478, in Bruges, located in the County of Flanders within the Burgundian Netherlands. He was the son of Maximilian I, who would later become Holy Roman Emperor, and Mary of Burgundy, the daughter of Charles the Bold. Philip inherited the Burgundian Netherlands after his mother’s death in 1482, when he was just four years old.  

During his minority, his father acted as regent. Details about his formal education are scarce, but as a member of the Habsburg dynasty, he would have received training appropriate for a future ruler, including instruction in governance, languages, and military affairs.

Personal Life

In 1496, Philip married Joanna of Castile, the daughter of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. This union was part of a strategic alliance between the Habsburgs and the Spanish crowns. The marriage produced six children: Eleanor, Charles, Isabella, Ferdinand, Mary, and Catherine.

Philip’s relationship with Joanna was complex; while initially affectionate, tensions arose due to Philip’s alleged infidelities and Joanna’s reported emotional instability. These personal issues were compounded by political struggles over control of Castile following Isabella’s death in 1504.

Career

Philip’s political career began with his inheritance of the Burgundian Netherlands in 1482. He became Duke of Burgundy and ruled over a collection of territories in the Low Countries.

His marriage to Joanna positioned him as a significant figure in Spanish politics. Upon Isabella’s death in 1504, Joanna became Queen of Castile, and Philip was proclaimed King Philip I of Castile in 1506.  

However, his reign was short-lived; he died later that year. Despite his brief tenure, Philip’s marriage and offspring had lasting implications, leading to the unification of Habsburg and Spanish territories under his son, Charles V.

Net Worth

Philip the Handsome‘s net worth in today’s world would be around $100 million.

Death

Philip the Handsome died on September 25, 1506, in Burgos, Castile, Spain, at the age of 28. The cause of death was a sudden fever, with some contemporary accounts suggesting typhoid.

His untimely death led to a power vacuum in Castile and further complicated the political situation, eventually leading to his son Charles ascending to the throne.

Controversy

Several controversies marked Philip’s life and reign. His marriage to Joanna of Castile was both a personal and political alliance, but it was fraught with difficulties. Philip’s alleged extramarital affairs and Joanna’s reported mental health issues led to a tumultuous relationship.

Politically, Philip’s assertion of authority in Castile after Isabella’s death led to conflict with his father-in-law, Ferdinand II of Aragon, who was reluctant to relinquish control.

Philip’s sudden death in 1506 sparked rumors of poisoning, although no definitive evidence supports this claim. These controversies had lasting effects on the Spanish monarchy and the Habsburg dynasty’s role in European politics.

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