Germany's Rocking Aristo

THE NEW YORK TIMES has run a wonderful article about the rock loving German aristocratic baron, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
We posted a story on Germany's economic minister on July 10, 2009! Looks like we were ahead of the curve!

Germany's New Economics Minister is an Aristocrat

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is Germany's new economics minister, despite his aristocratic background. The Irish Times reports that he's the second most popular politician in Germany after Angela Merkel, the current chancellor.

Karl-Theodor is a baron from Franconia, which is in northern Bavaria. His full title is: Karl-Theordor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester, Baron from and to Guttenberg. Try saying that three times fast.

The 37 year old baron is a married father of two and it seems that the German society (or gossip) press cannot get enough of him. His approval rating is an astounding 61%. The Irish Times even alludes to the fact that his vast family wealth (which is rumored to stand between ₤600 million-₤800 million) allows the baron to think independently, without worrying about his own financial well being.

The baron lives in his family's castle in Bavaria and a mansion in Berlin. He is also a member of the distinguished noble House of Guttenberg. The House of Guttenberg dates back to 1149. His wife is Stephanie, Countess of Bismark-Schönhausen and the great-great-granddaughter of Otto von Bismark, Prince of Bismarck and Duke of Lauenburg.

Germany abolished all royal and aristocratic titles & privileges in 1919.

We'll keep you posted on Karl-Theodor.