Luxembourgian royal, who reigned as Grand Duke from 12 November 1964 until his abdication on 7 October 2000. At the age of 98, he is the oldest and the longest-living monarch or former monarch in the world.
Jean was the eldest son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma. Jean’s primary education would be in Luxemboug initially before attending Ampleforth College in England. In 1938, he would officially be named Hereditary Grand Duke as heir to the throne of Luxembourg.
While Luxembourg was occupied by Germans during the Second World War, the grand ducal family was abroad in exile. Jean would study at the Université Laval in Quebec City. Jean later volunteered to join the British army’s Irish Guards in 1942 and after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, would receive his commission in 1943. He participated in the Normandy landings, the Battle for Caen and joined the Allied forces in the liberation of Luxembourg. From 1984 until 2000, he was made colonel of the Irish Guards.
On 9 April 1953, Jean married Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium with whom he would have five children. On 12 November 1964, Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated and Jean succeeded her as Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He would reign for 36 years before he himself abdicated on 7 October 2000 and was succeeded by his son, Grand Duke Henri.
He died on 23 April 2019 at the age of 98 after he was hospitalized for a pulmonary infection.
Link to Wikipedia biography