Albert von Thurn und Taxis
Albert, 12th Prince of Thurn and Taxis | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 24, 1983 |
| Occupation(s) | Nobleman, entrepreneur, professional racing driver |
| Known for | Youngest billionaire globally; head of the House of Thurn und Taxis; motorsports champion |
Albert, 12th Prince of Thurn and Taxis (Albert Maria Lamoral Miguel Johannes Gabriel Fürst von Thurn und Taxis; born 24 June 1983) is a German nobleman, entrepreneur, and professional racing driver. Since inheriting his family's wealth in 1990, he has been acknowledged repeatedly as the youngest billionaire globally, first appearing on such lists at just eight years old.
Family
Albert's lineage traces back to King Miguel I of Portugal and prominent European royal houses such as the Wittelsbach, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Braganza, and Habsburg-Lorraine families. The House of Thurn und Taxis in Germany amassed its wealth beginning with Leonhard von Taxis's designation as hereditary postmaster general of the Holy Roman Empire in 1595. Albert succeeded as head of this family, renowned for its historic estates including Saint Emmeram's Abbey and its brewing enterprises.
Following the death of his father, Johannes von Thurn und Taxis, in 1990, Albert inherited a fortune estimated at US$3 billion along with debts totaling US$500 million. His mother, Gloria, was instrumental in safeguarding the family's assets until Albert took over management. He is the youngest sibling, with two elder sisters: Princess Maria Theresia and Princess Elisabeth.
Education
After completing his secondary education in Rome, Albert fulfilled military service obligations before pursuing studies in economics and theology at the University of Edinburgh. In 2022, he earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), focusing his dissertation on themes of freedom and rationality within Aquinas’s philosophical framework.
Media attention
Albert was ranked 11th on Forbes' List of The 20 Hottest Young Royals in 2008.
Motorsport
An accomplished competitor in motorsports, Albert achieved vice-champion status in the German GT Championship ADAC GT Masters during the 2007/2008 seasons and claimed the championship title in 2010 with Team Reiter Engineering. Since 2009, he has expanded into rally driving, participating in the European Rally Championship from 2016 onward.
Dynastic honours
- House of Thurn und Taxis: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Parfaite Amitié.
- Calabrian House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies: Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Calabrian Two Sicilian Order of Saint George.
Complete GT1 World Championship results
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Reiter Engineering | Lamborghini | NOG QR 3 |
NOG CR 8 |
ZOL QR Ret |
ZOL CR 8 |
NAV QR 12 |
NAV QR 14 |
SVK QR 2 |
SVK CR Ret |
ALG QR 13 |
ALG CR Ret |
SVK QR 11 |
SVK CR Ret |
MOS QR |
MOS CR |
NUR QR |
NUR CR |
DON QR |
DON CR |
18th | 18 |
Full World Rally Championship Results
| Year | Entrant | Vehicle | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Albert von Thurn und Taxis | Škoda Fabia R5 | MON | SWE | MEX | FRA | ARG | POR | ITA | FIN | GER Retired |
TUR | GBR | ESP | AUS | NC | 0 |
|- | 2019
! Albert von Thurn und Taxis
! Škoda Fabia R5
|
MON
|
SWE
|
MEX
|
FRA
|
ARG
|
CHL
|
POR
|
style="background:#cfcfff;" |ITA
27th
|
FIN
|
GER
|
TUR
|
GBR
|
ESP
|
AUS
!
NC !
0
|}
|- | 2021
!
Albert von Thurn und Taxis
!
Škoda Fabia R5 Evo
|
MON
|
style="background:#efcfff;" |ARC
|
CRO
|
POR
|
ITA
|
KEN
|
EST
|
BEL
|
GRE
|
FIN
|
ESP
|
MNZ
|
!
NC !
0
|}
Complete World Rally Championship-3 Standings
| Year | Entrant | Vehicle | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Albert von Thurn und Taxis | Škoda Fabia R5 Evo | MON | ARC Retired |
CRO | POR | ITA | KEN | EST | BEL | GRE | FIN | ESP | MNZ | NC | 0 |