Luís I of Brazil
From Roach Busters
| Luís I of Brazil | |
| Emperor of Brazil | |
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| Reign July 5, 1981 — Present | |
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| Coronation | July 10, 1981 |
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| Born | June 6, 1938 (age 69) Palácio Imperial, Rio de Janeiro |
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| Predecessor | Pedro III of Brazil |
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| Heir-apparent | to be decided |
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| Consort | to be decided |
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| Issue | to be decided |
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| Royal House | House of Orléans-Braganza |
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| Father | Pedro III of Brazil |
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| Mother | Princess Maria Isabel of Bavaria |
Luís I is the reigning Emperor of Brazil. His name in full is Luís Gastão Maria José Pio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga de Orléans e Bragança e Wittelsbach. He is styled Sua Majestade Imperial e Real, Dom Luís I, Por Graça de Deus, e Unânime Aclamação dos Povos, Imperador Constitucional e Defensor Perpétuo do Brasil, which translates to His Imperial and Royal Majesty Dom Luís I, By the Grace of God and Unanimous Acclamation of the People, Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender of Brazil. He ascended to the throne on July 5, 1981, upon the death of his father.
He was born on June 6, 1938, the eldest son of Emperor Pedro III of Brazil (1909-1981) and Princess Maria Isabel of Bavaria (1914-). His siblings are Prince Eudes Maria (b. 1939), Prince Bertrand (b. 1941), Princess Isabel Maria (b. 1944), Prince Pedro de Alcântara Henrique (b. 1945), Prince Fernando Diniz (1948), Prince Antônio João (b. 1950), Princess Eleanor Maria (b. 1953), Prince Francisco Maria (b. 1955), Prince Alberto Maria (b. 1957), Princess Maria Teresa (b. 1959), and Princess Maria Gabriela (b. 1959).
Luís's godparents are Princess Maria Pia of the Two Sicilies (1878–1973), who is also his paternal grandmother, and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (1913-), his mother's brother.
By his paternal family, he descends directly from the Emperors of Brazil, from the Kings of Portugal (House of Braganza), and from the Kings of France (Houses of Orléans and Bourbon). By his maternal family, he is a descendant of the Kings of Bavaria (House of Wittelsbach), and from the other German Royal Houses.
Since his accession as Emperor of Brazil, he has devoted his time to serving the people as best he can, travelling frequently to every major city and even the most far-flung reaches of the country, conversing with people of every race, class, color, religion, and creed, in order to really know the people and their problems, address their grievances, etc. As a devout Catholic, the Emperor works arduously in the preservation of the Christian faith among the Brazilians; however, he is also known for his religious toleration, and meets regular with prominent leaders of minority faiths in Brazil. While in theory the Emperor has vast powers, for the most part he limits himself to ceremonial functions and private pursuits, content to leave most everyday matters of governance to the President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister). He is widely loved and praised for his combination of tradition and modernity, his piety, his honesty, and his genuine commitment to the welfare of his people. The Emperor's personal political views are unknown, and he has politely refused to divulge them, believing that a monarch should be "above petty politics."
A polyglot, the Emperor speaks fluent Portuguese, French, and German, and understands Spanish, Italian, and English. His goal is to master the latter three languages and learn at least two indigenous Brazilian languages.
His hobbies and interests include reading, classical music, hunting, and equestrianism.
Honors
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Saint James of the Sword
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of Dom Pedro I
- Grand Master of the Imperial Order of the Rose
- Bailiff Grand Cross of the Constantinian Order of Saint George
Ancestry
