Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, a Hungarian political and military figure, served as the regent of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1920 to 1944. Rising through the ranks of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, Horthy played a crucial role in restoring stability to Hungary after a period of revolutions and external interventions. As the head of a national conservative government, he implemented an irredentist foreign policy and made alliances with Nazi Germany. However, his reluctance to support the German war effort and secret attempts to negotiate with the Allies led to his removal from power and exile in Portugal.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya
- Died At Age: 88
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Magdolna Purgly (m. 1901)
- Father: István Horthy
- Mother: Paula Halassy
- Children: István Horthy, Magda Horthy, Miklós Horthy Jr., Paulette Horthy
- Born Country: Hungary
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm), 5’10” Males
- Died on: February 9, 1957
- Place of death: Estoril
- Awards:
- Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa
- Third Class Military Merit Cross
- Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of the Three Stars
Childhood & Early Life
Miklós Horthy was born on June 18, 1868, in Kenderes, Austria-Hungary. He came from a family that was part of Hungarian peerage. Horthy had three older and four younger siblings. At the age of 14, he enrolled at the Austro-Hungarian “Imperial and Royal Naval Academy” where he learned German, giving his Hungarian a slight Austro-German flair. Horthy was also fluent in Italian, Croatian, English, and French. He traveled extensively in his youth, working as a diplomat in the Ottoman Empire and other countries.
Later Military Career
After World War I, Hungary faced two national traumas. The first was the defeat in the war, which resulted in the loss of significant lands for the country. The second was the communist rebellion led by Béla Kun, which took control of Budapest. During this period, violence and suppression were rampant, with the communists engaging in the Red Terror and the reactionary forces carrying out the White Terror. Horthy’s National Army was involved in the White Terror, but the extent of his knowledge about the atrocities committed is unknown.
Ruling
After the National Assembly of Hungary recreated the Kingdom of Hungary, Horthy was elected as the Regent, with significant power over the government. He served as the head of the state, while a parliamentary government ruled under him. Horthy outlawed the Hungarian Communist Party and the Arrow Cross Party and enforced an irredentist foreign policy in response to the Treaty of Trianon. Emperor Charles IV attempted to return to Hungary twice but failed. Horthy’s foreign policy made Hungary a reluctant ally of Nazi Germany during World War II.
World War II
During World War II, Horthy regained certain Hungarian lands with the aid of Nazi Germany. However, he was hesitant to fully support the German war effort and the Holocaust. He tried to reach a secret deal with the Allies when it became clear that the Axis powers could not win the war. In 1944, Hungary declared an armistice with the Allies, but Horthy was forced to resign and taken into custody by the Germans. After the German defeat, he was found by the Americans and kept in custody.
Later Years
After his release, Horthy realized that the Americans had arrested him to protect him from the Russians. He lived in exile in Portugal and published his memoirs in 1953. Horthy passed away on February 9, 1957, in Estoril, Portugal. His remains were brought back to Hungary in 1993 and interred in his hometown of Kenderes.
Family & Personal Life
Horthy was married to Magdolna Purgly and they had four children together.
Death & Legacy
Horthy was disappointed by the outcome of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. His remains were not returned to Hungary until after the departure of Soviet forces. The reburial in 1993 received some criticism.