Wilhelmina of the Netherlands

Description: (Queen of the Netherlands (1890 - 1948))

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was the longest-reigning Dutch monarch, ruling for 58 years from 1890 to 1948. She inherited the throne at the age of 10, following the death of her father, King William III, as his only surviving child. Known for her strong personality, Wilhelmina was very hands-on in her rule. She cared greatly for the welfare of her subjects, especially her soldiers, and often made surprise visits to assess their conditions. Wilhelmina was also known for her business acumen; through careful investments of her inherited wealth, she became one of the world's wealthiest women and was even considered the first female billionaire (in U.S. dollars) at the time. She is credited with maintaining Dutch neutrality during the First World War and led the Dutch government-in-exile from the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Although the Netherlands' colonial influence diminished during her reign, she remained popular with the people. Before her death, she wrote an autobiography, Eenzaam, maar niet alleen ("Lonely but Not Alone"), which reflected her strong religious beliefs and motivations.

Overview

Birthday August 31, 1880 (Virgo)
Born In Netherlands
Alternative names Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria
City The Hague, Netherlands
Died on November 28, 1962
Spouse/Ex- Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Parents William III of the Netherlands
Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont
Relatives Alexander, Prince Maurice of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange, William
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