Josefa von Hohenzollern, Leonberg’s 51-year-old mayor and a member of the country’s upper chamber, is crushed. Her husband, Prince Harald von Hohenzollern, died unexpectedly at 63 from cardiac arrest. The unimaginable loss came just months before the couple was about to welcome their first child, expected in July. In September 2024, the engaged couple married in Josefa’s hometown of Kollnburg. Her liberation to marry this commoner was an important step—now she could be both civil servant and princess.
At the time of his death, Prince Harald was still active as an industry professional in Windhoek, Namibia on the cusp of developing diamonds from the plants’ carbon. The pair originally connected at a trade fair two years ago. Their incredible bond developed into a deep romance shortly after, culminating in their marriage nine months ago. No matter the outcome, Josefa von Hohenzollern will be going through a difficult time. She’s mourning the unexpected loss of her husband while planning for the birth of their baby.
In a moving farewell message to her constituents Josefa explained how heavy her heart was with grief.
“Dear fellow citizens of Leonberg, today I am writing with a heavy heart. My beloved husband Harald v. Hohenzollern died quite unexpectedly of a sudden cardiac death. This loss hits me very deep.” – Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern
The mayor has announced that she will be stepping back from her re-election campaign and social media to allow herself time to grieve and prepare for motherhood. She explained her desire for privacy and respect as she and her family cope with this trying time.
“I need time to grieve, say goodbye and be there for our unborn child. That’s why I will be stepping back from campaigning and social media in the coming days. I hope for your understanding during this time off and thank you from the bottom of my heart at this point for your condolences and support.” – Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern
As she navigates this challenging time, her supporters and fellow citizens have rallied around her, expressing their condolences and support. Josefa von Hohenzollern has served as mayor of Leonberg with dedication, and her commitment to the community remains evident even amidst personal tragedy.
