Prince Frédéric von Anhalt and Zsa Zsa Gabor appeared to be an ideal match. Their encounter took place in 1982 at a Hollywood gathering shortly after von Anhalt arrived in Los Angeles from Germany.
Communicating in German, the two immediately connected.
Yet, the prince quickly left the party, mentioning another engagement. In reality, von Anhalt, holding the title of prince only in name, was not invited to the party.
Despite a 26-year age difference, Gabor went on to marry the younger von Anhalt four years later, marking her ninth and final husband.
In the summer of 2021, almost five years following Gabor’s passing in December 2016 at the age of 99, von Anhalt fulfilled her wish by taking her ashes to Hungary for burial in her homeland, according to the BBC.
Following her death, he assumed the role of the sole trustee of her estate, estimated to be worth $40 million by Celebrity Net Worth.
Born The Son Of a Police Officer
Born as Hans Robert Lichtenberg in Wallhausen, Germany, in 1943, Prince Frédéric von Anhalt’s origins trace back to the son of a police officer and his wife, as reported by the New York Post.
In 1979, at the age of 35, he received an irresistible offer from Marie Auguste von Anhalt.
“I was adopted by the most renowned princess in Germany,” he shared with the Post. The adoption granted him a title, but little else, while the princess received approximately $700 monthly to assist with her considerable debts.
Describing it as a strategic move in the realm of show business, von Anhalt explained to The Hollywood Reporter, “I needed a door-opener.”
This arrangement proved successful, and after entering into his seventh marriage with Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1986, the couple indulged in an extravagant lifestyle, as highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter.
Gabor, hailing from a wealthy background as the daughter of a jewelry store magnate, along with her sisters Magda and Eva, all achieved stardom.
The Sole Survivor
To support his lifestyle, Frédéric von Anhalt resorted to leveraging his royal title for financial gain.
Explaining the motivation behind this choice, he remarked to the Post, “I had a high-maintenance wife and led an extravagant life.”
He accumulated approximately $10 million by bestowing knighthoods and entering into agreements akin to the one he made with the princess in 1979, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Following the passing of Gabor’s sole daughter, Francesca Hilton, born from her union with Conrad Hilton, the founder of the Hilton hotel chain, von Anhalt emerged as the last surviving spouse.
In 2018, he conducted an auction of his late wife’s possessions, which included designer dresses, jewelry, artworks, and even her discarded pill containers.
The auction, as per CBC News, generated nearly a million dollars in revenue.
Zsa Zsa’s two sisters had predeceased her, and von Anhalt disclosed, “I inherited money from all the sisters.
Zsa Zsa got everything, and now I’m the sole heir left, highlighting my unique position.
Read more: What happens to debt when you die in Australia?
The Gabor Sisters Married a Total Of 20 Times
The Gabor sisters had a total of 20 marriages. Magda had six marriages, Zsa Zsa had nine marriages, and Eva had five marriages.
Notable marriages include Zsa Zsa with Conrad Hilton and Frédéric Prinz von Anhalt, and Eva with Frank Gard Jameson Sr.
Each Gabor marriage has its unique drama. For example, Zsa Zsa annulled her eighth marriage to Felipe de Alba after one day.
Magda’s fifth marriage was to George Sanders, Zsa Zsa’s third ex-husband.
Nineteen of the marriages were childless. Only Zsa Zsa had a child, Francesca, with Conrad Hilton. In her memoir, Zsa Zsa claimed Francesca’s birth resulted from a sexual assault by Hilton.
T Bag, J.D., LL.M. Professor of Law and Mediation Expert in Family and Siblings Property Disputes
Education:
- J.D., Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Harvard Law School
- LL.M., Estate Planning and Family Law, Yale Law School
Experience:
- Over 15 years of experience mediating complex family property disputes, including estate conflicts and business succession issues.
- Extensive background in facilitating negotiations between siblings and other family members to preserve relationships and family wealth.
- Recognized authority on the legal and psychological aspects of property disputes among family members.
Publications:
- “Mediating Family Property and Estate Conflicts: Keeping the Peace and Preserving Family Wealth” – A comprehensive guide on the advantages of mediation over litigation in family disputes.
- “Negotiating Principles of Entitlement in Sibling Property Disputes” – An analysis of entitlement principles applied in sibling conflicts over property.
Professional Affiliations:
- Member of the American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution
- Fellow at the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution, University of Missouri
Awards:
- Recipient of the Excellence in Mediation Award from the National Mediation Conference
- Honored with the Distinguished Mediator Award by the International Mediation Institute
Teaching:
- Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching courses on family law, estate planning, and conflict resolution.
- Guest lecturer at various law schools across the USA, sharing insights on mediating family property disputes.
Consulting:
- Provides expert consulting services to law firms and families on matters related to inheritance, property rights, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
- Advises on creating legal frameworks that minimize conflict and promote fair resolution in family property disputes.
Philosophy:
- Believes in the power of mediation to resolve conflicts while maintaining family harmony and protecting privacy.
- Advocates for creative and compassionate solutions that address the underlying emotional dynamics of family disputes.
Contact Information:
- Email: tbag@usamediationexpert.edu
- Office: Department of Law, University of California, Berkeley