HSH Laetitia d'Arenberg, formally Lætitia Marie Madelaine Susanne Valentine de Belzunce-d'Arenberg, was born on September 2, 1941 in Brummana, Mandate of Lebanon now Lebanon. She is a French Uruguayan businesswoman.
Biography
She is daughter of Henri de Belzunce, Marquis of Belzunce and Marie-Thérèse de la Poëze d'Harambure. Laetitia practically did not know her father because he died fighting for France at the Battle of Monte Cassino, on May 13, 1944. On August 20, 1949 her mother married with Erik Engelbert, 11th Duke of Arenberg. In 1951, being a girl she arrived to Uruguay because her family feared that the Korean War could take place in Europe. On February 15, 1956 Laetitia was adopted by her step father Erik Engelbert.
On June 19, 1965 she married HIRH Prince Leopold Franz of Austria in a civil marriage, which was held in St. Gilgen, Austria. On July 28, was held the religious ceremony in Menetou-Salon, France. In Lausanne, Switzerland on April 21 1966 was born her first child Sigismund von Habsburg-Lothringen, and in Montevideo, Uruguay on Jun] 21, 1967 was born Guntram Maria Josef von Habsburg-Lothringen.
Laetitia and Leopold Franz divorced on May 21, 1981 in Salzburg, Austria. Leopold Franz moved to Europe and Laetitia remained in Uruguay. Years later se married John Anson, who she still married.
Nowadays she is the owner of many companies, like Las Rosas, Simoca S.A. (La Pataia), Liderak S.A., Bor S.A., Nimansur S.A., and others.
By decree of President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, on April 10, 2009, the French government decided to give Laetitia d'Arenberg the decoration of the Legion of Honor in the grade of Knight ("Chevalier"). This recognition of France takes into account his 30 years of professional activities and their commitment to many social projects in Uruguay, particularly to benefit disadvantaged children and young people addicted to drugs. The official ceremony of the award was made on 24 September and was sponsored by a French Senate delegation on an official visit in Uruguay, led by Senator Jean-Marc Pastor, accompanied by Senators Pointereau Rémy, François Fortassin, Gérard Miquel and Annie-Vergnolle Jarraud.
See also
References
Retrieved from :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laetitia_d%27Arenberg
