Leopold III of Belgium
1901–1983 (age 82)
Biography
Leopold III became King of the Belgians in 1934, guiding the nation through the tense years that preceded the Second World War and seeking to uphold national unity through economic and social renewal. His personal devotion to duty and to the soldiers he led reflected a complex, deeply felt commitment to Belgium even as monarchic responsibilities grew heavier.
After war and political controversy, he lived a quieter life devoted to family and reflection, yet he never ceased to care for Belgium's institutions; his remains were laid to rest in the Royal Crypt as a reminder of his singular place in the nation's history.