Gloria von Thurn und Taxis

Princess von Thurn und Taxis was born in 1960 in Stuttgart and spent many of her childhood years in Africa with her parents, Count and Countess of Schönburg‐Glauchau, and her siblings, Maya, Alexander and Carl Alban. In 1980 she married Prince Johannes von Thurn und Taxis. They where blessed with three children: Princess Maria Theresia (1980), Princess Elisabeth (1982) and Prince Albert (1983). After the early death of her husband Prince Johannes in 1990, Princess Gloria took over the leadership of the widely diverse Thurn und Taxis enterprises. She carried out a thorough restructuring of the family assets.

A major focus of the Princess’s work is the preservation and care of the vast cultural heritage of the Thurn und Taxis family. The "Princely Treasure Chamber“ in the new wing of the Carriage museum, as well as the Christmas market which unfolds during four weeks prior to Christmas in the palace courtyard, happened on the Princess’ own initiative.

Her efforts have led to the Thurn und Taxis Musical Festival, which takes place every summer, also in the palace courtyard.

Princess Gloria is the prefect of the Regensburg Women’s Congregation of Mary (founded by Jesuit lay students in 1562).

Princess Gloria was decorated in 2006 for her cultural and social dedication by the Federal Republic of Germany, with the Order of Merit First Class. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI made her a Dame Commander with Star of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory. In 2009 she joined the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as a Dame of Honour and Devotion in Obedience, and in 2013 the Infante of Spain, Don Pedro de Bourbon, appointed her Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St. George. Her most recent honor in 2014 was to be awarded with the prestigious Bavarian Order of Merit. She was also appointed as an honorary member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.