Karl August, 10th Prince of Thurn and Taxis

Karl August, 10th Prince of Thurn and Taxis was born on July 23, 1952, in Regensburg, Germany. He was the eldest son of Johannes, 9th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, and Princess Gloria of Thurn and Taxis. Karl August became the head of the Thurn und Taxis family following the death of his father in 1990. He oversaw the family's vast business empire, which included real estate, forestry, and brewing. During his tenure as prince, Karl August was known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the fields of art and culture. He was a major supporter of the Bayreuth Festival, an annual opera series in Bayreuth, Germany, and was also involved in numerous other cultural organizations. Karl August was married twice, first to Princess Eleonore of Auersperg-Breunner in 1980, with whom he had three children: Princess Maria Theresia, Prince Franz Joseph, and Prince Raphael. They divorced in 1990, and he later married Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg in 1999, with whom he had two more children: Princess Elisabeth and Princess Mariae Gloria. Karl August passed away on July 26, 2016, at the age of 64, after a long battle with cancer. He was succeeded as the head of the Thurn und Taxis family by his eldest son, Prince Franz Joseph.