Controversial Facts About Juan Carlos I, Spain’s Two Faced-King
Who is the real Juan Carlos I? This modern-day King of Spain single-handedly saved his country from a tyrannical dictator—but then there was his dark side. He was an animal rights activist who loved to hunt.
He was a husband who had lovers in the thousands, and he was the Kickback King—using his power to amass a huge personal fortune while his country was suffering one of the worst economic crises of modern times. Saint or sinner?
Let these facts about King Juan Carlos I help you decide.
1. His Name Was A Mouthful
Back in 1938, when he was born, this future King of Spain got a name of epic proportions: Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias. This was one of the perils of being a member of the Spanish Royal family. But he had far bigger problems than that. How about having the government of the day not let you live in your own country?
Yes, when Juan Carlos was born, the entire royal family lived in exile in Rome.
2. He Was The King Of Nothing
Juan Carlos’ father, Alfonso XIII, was the King of Spain but, because of the Second Spanish Republic, he wasn’t really the king of anything. You see, the Second Republic didn’t want a king, so the moment they took power, the royal family had to flee the country. This was all well and good, except Juan Carlos’ father wanted his son to study in Madrid. And, if my high school geography serves me right, that’s right smack in the middle of Spain—where Juan Carlos wasn’t allowed to go...
3. His Father Couldn’t Be Trusted
Since the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939, Francisco Franco had been the leader of the country. Franco was a dictator, but he had a major thing of all things royal. By 1947, Franco was ready to choose a new king, and Juan Carlos’ father was the next one in line. Franco, however, had a bad feeling about him: He thought that Juan Carlos’ father did not back his regime. So, Franco didn’t choose him—or anyone else for that matter. Franco claimed he wanted a king, but it would be some time before he actually chose one.
Yet, for some reason, Franco took a sudden and mysterious interest in young Juan Carlos—a relationship that would prove dangerous for both of them.
4. He Got Special Permission
Juan Carlos’ father was still hanging on to the belief that he could be the King of Spain, but he needn’t have wasted his time. Franco had already dismissed him from his mind, and had turned his sights on Juan Carlos.
In 1948, Franco gave his new protege an unusual permit. Even though his entire family was in exile in Italy, Juan Carlos could return to Spain and study there.
It was certainly a thrill for Juan Carlos to receive special attention from the dictator, but it also must’ve been a bit scary.
After realizing he had extreme dyslexia, Juan Carlos chose to study for the army. This would soon turn out to be a lethal choice.
