Memorial Page for Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau

Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau (born Marie Aglaë Bonaventura Theresia Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau on 14 April 1940 in Prague; died 21 August 2021 in Grabs) was Princess of Liechtenstein at the side of Prince Hans-Adam II. Alongside her representative duties, she particularly shaped social and humanitarian engagement in Liechtenstein.

Background and education

Marie Kinsky was born in Prague as the fourth of seven children of Count Ferdinand Carl Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau and Countess Henriette von Ledebur-Wicheln. After the Second World War the family lived in Germany. Marie was educated there, spent time in England and France and worked as a commercial artist before her engagement. These years came before the public role that would later shape her life.

Family in Liechtenstein

On 30 July 1967 she married the then Hereditary Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein in Vaduz. The marriage produced four children: Alois, Maximilian, Constantin and Tatjana. When Hans-Adam II permanently took over the affairs of state from his father in 1984 and became reigning prince in 1989, Princess Marie entered more strongly into representative duties. She fulfilled this role with restraint, reliability and closeness to the country's social institutions.

Liechtenstein Red Cross

From 1985 to 2015 Princess Marie headed the Liechtenstein Red Cross. Under her presidency the organisation provided aid at home and abroad, including during wars, natural disasters and social hardship. Her commitment was not merely ceremonial. Sources from the aid sector describe a princess who visited institutions, supported concrete projects and sought personal closeness to voluntary work.

Social engagement

Another focus lay on people with disabilities, family support and charitable projects. As president and patron of the Association for Curative Education, she promoted the social inclusion of people with special support needs. Cultural tasks and international master classes were also part of her public work. For many people in Liechtenstein this created the image of a princess who understood public position above all as responsibility.

Later years

In 2015 Princess Marie handed over the presidency of the Red Cross to Hereditary Princess Sophie. She remained connected to the country and to many social institutions. On 18 August 2021 she suffered a stroke. A few days later the Princely House announced that her health had steadily deteriorated.

Farewell

Princess Marie died on 21 August 2021 in the hospital in Grabs in the presence of her family. She was 81 years old. State mourning was ordered in Liechtenstein. Her name remains especially connected with quiet, long-standing service to people in need, families, children and people with disabilities.