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Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld

Jena, 1911 – University Medical Center Utrecht, 2004

13 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born1911, JenaRecords disagree1 source
  • TitleInspector-General of the Armed Forces, 1945–1976or Consort of the Netherlands, 1948–1980 · chairperson, 1954–1976 · president, 1961–1976not verified1 source
  • TitleConsort of the Netherlands, 1948–1980or Inspector-General of the Armed Forces, 1945–1976 · chairperson, 1954–1976 · president, 1961–1976not verified1 source
  • Titlechairperson, 1954–1976or Inspector-General of the Armed Forces, 1945–1976 · Consort of the Netherlands, 1948–1980 · president, 1961–1976not verified1 source
  • Titlepresident, 1961–1976or Inspector-General of the Armed Forces, 1945–1976 · Consort of the Netherlands, 1948–1980 · chairperson, 1954–1976not verified1 source
  • EventLockheed bribery scandalsnot verified1 source
  • Died2004, University Medical Center UtrechtRecords disagree1 source

A life in time

  1. 1911

    Born in Jena

  2. 1938–1947

    4 children are born

  3. 1945–1976

    Inspector-General of the Armed Forces

  4. 1948–1980

    Consort of the Netherlands

  5. 1954–1976

    Chairperson

  6. 1961–1976

    President

  7. 2004

    Dies in University Medical Center Utrecht

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 4

During his lifetime

He lived through 10 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Jena.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1910s · Prince is born in Jena

In the news1914

Ten percent of households accessed electricity by 1914

By 1914, approximately ten percent of German households had access to electricity, transforming daily life through new lighting and urban infrastructure.

What people wore

The Decline of the Restrictive Corset

Women often wore tight corsets to shape their bodies, despite the discomfort and breathing difficulties this caused, until usage declined after the First World War. These elaborate, multi-layered outfits could weigh several kilograms and significantly restricted movement, making daily tasks like working in factories or offices very difficult.

Getting around

Railways dominated long-distance travel by 1914

By 1914, Germany had one of the world's densest railway networks, which by then far outperformed road transport in both speed and cost for long-distance travel. Express trains reached speeds of 90 to 100 kilometers per hour, allowing travel from Berlin to Munich in a significantly reduced time compared to previous eras.

The Spanish flu. A flu pandemic infected a third of humanity and killed some 50 million people, more than the war that had just ended.Around the world · 1918–1920

The Spanish flu. A flu pandemic infected a third of humanity and killed some 50 million people, more than the war that had just ended.

Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine · public domain

In the news1910

Life expectancy rose to 47 years by 1910

By 1910, advancements in medicine, hygiene, and infrastructure, such as improved water and sewage systems, increased the average life expectancy to 47 years, compared to 37 years in 1871.

Music

Itinerant German street bands

Itinerant German bands, often consisting of brass and woodwind players, traveled globally and performed in streets or at kur (spa) resorts for a weekly wage.

Daily life

Crowded urban living conditions

Many urban families lived in crowded tenements called Mietskasernen, where up to six people often shared a single room that served as a kitchen, living area, and bedroom. Toilet facilities were typically located in the courtyard or on an intermediate floor.