Throughout history, some of the world's most influential and prominent royal families have been afflicted with health disorders including mental illness and birth defects. Hereditary issues were particularly common in many of these families. Some royals were able to rule despite their health conditions while others had to step down, or even lost their lives, as a result. Read on to learn about royals throughout history and the health problems they endured.
Rickets Were Rampant In The Medici Family
The most powerful family in Italy during the Florentine Renaissance, the Medicis were a banking and political dynasty that rose to prominence during the first half of the 15th century. Despite this, their family line was plagued with rickets, a deficiency in vitamin D that causes the distortion of bones. Bowlegs are a common result of rickets.
Several skeletons of Medici children have been analyzed by modern scientists and most of them had signs of the disorder. Historians believe that being overprotective and keeping children inside with little exposure to sunlight may have contributed to the Medici children's vitamin D deficiencies.
The Mad Queen, Maria I Of Portugal
Queen Maria I ruled Portugal from 1777 to 1816. Known as "Maria the Mad," the queen's illness was first officially noticed in 1786. She had to be carried home because she was in a state of delirium.
She was also known to throw violent tantrums for no apparent reason and occasionally dressed in children's clothing. After the death of her husband and then the death of her eldest son, Maria's mental condition worsened and her second-born son took over the government in her name.
King Tut Had Many Health Problems
Being one of the most famous rulers in world history didn't prevent King Tutankhamun from suffering from a slew of health problems. Modern DNA testing has revealed that "the Boy King" was plagued with ailments, likely as a result of the royal tradition of siblings marrying.
He had a cleft palate, a club foot, severe scoliosis, and a deformed skull. Tut ascended the throne when he was 10 and ruled until his death at just 19 years old.
Charles II Paid Dearly For His Family's Lineage
Charles II of Spain (1661 - 1700) is best remembered for his severe health problems. Also known as "The Bewitched," Charles had what is called the Habsburg Jaw or mandibular prognathism. This condition is the result of an over-sized tongue. He also had a severe underbite with a protruding lower jaw and a thick lower lip.
The condition made it exceptionally difficult to chew and he also had a drooling problem as a result. His family line ended with him, as he was impotent.
Alexei Romanov Was Treated By Rasputin
Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov, the heir apparent to the Russian Empire, was born in 1904. He suffered from hemophilia, which is a hereditary disease that causes blood clotting problems. In an effort to cure her son of his affliction, his mother, Empress Alexandra, invited the divisive mystic and faith healer Rasputin into their home. As a result, Rasputin gained much political influence in late imperial Russia.
This 1916 photo shows Alexei shortly after a severe attack of hemophilia that nearly ended his life. His wheelchair is visible to the left.
Anorexia And Depression Plagued Empress Elisabeth Of Austria
Empress Elisabeth of Austria was the wife of Franz Joseph I of Austria and the daughter of the Duke of Bavaria. Called "Sisi" by her family and friends, she was renowned for her beauty.
As she aged and her beauty faded, she became obsessed with her appearance and started to starve herself in an effort to remain thin. She even made attempts to take her own life. In 1898, she was assassinated by a young Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni.
King George III Went Mad
Best known for losing the American Revolution, King George III of England is quite unfortunately also known for losing his mind. This was likely the result of a genetic disorder called porphyria, which can cause bouts of insanity and is known to run in his family (the House of Hanover). Some historians believe he might have also suffered from bipolar disorder.
As he grew older, his condition became more severe and he was at times put into straitjackets. Eventually, he had to give up his duties as king. This portrait is from 1760, when he succeeded his grandfather, George II, as King of Great Britain.
Ferdinand I Of Austria Had Serious Birth Defects
The son of Holy Roman Emperor Francis II and Marie-Therese, who were double first cousins, Ferdinand I of Austria was beset with health problems his entire life. His parents' genetic similarities led to their child having epilepsy, neurological problems, hydrocephalus, and a speech impediment.
Ferdinand's motor skills were severely impaired as a result of these problems and he endured as many as 20 seizures every day. Despite this, he managed to reign as emperor for 13 years although he deferred to Archduke Louis on important policy. Ferdinand abdicated the throne in 1848.
Obesity Might Have Run In Cleopatra's Family
The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra is typically portrayed as being quite slender and lithe. Modern scientists and archeologists believe that this wasn't the case, however. Instead, there's evidence that she was obese like many of her family members.
Cleopatra's family preferred to keep its bloodline "pure" by intermarrying, so the genes contributing to obesity were handed down the generations until they reached the queen and her siblings.
Princess Nahienaena's Child Died In Infancy
A high-ranking princess in the Kingdom of Hawaii, Princess Nahienaena was born in 1815. She and her brother, King Kamehameha III, were intimately involved with each other from the time they were young (which wasn't uncommon in the Kingdom at the time).
They were encouraged to get married and keep the bloodline pure, but this ended in tragedy for the couple. They conceived, but the infant died just a few hours after birth, most likely because of major health complications caused by inbreeding.
Joanna Of Castile Succumbed To Grief
Joanna of Castile was never supposed to inherit the thrones of Castile and Aragon, but after outliving a number of her siblings, she ended up wearing the crown. Unfortunately, she was mentally unprepared for her position as Queen of Spain, especially the standards set by her mother.
However, she ended up marrying and falling deeply in love with her husband, a member of the Habsburg family known as Philip the Handsome. Philip did not return her love and was unfaithful on numerous occasions before his death. The loss of her husband drove Joanna into insanity, leading to her removal from power and imprisonment until her death in 1555.
Ludwig II Of Bavaria Was Slain For His Unpredictability
Cousin of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, King Ludwig II of Bavaria's family had been inbreeding for generations, which came to a head at the birth of Ludwig II. In his early years, people began to notice that Ludwig was exceedingly paranoid and lived in his own fantastical world. It is believed that he suffered from a schizotypal personality disorder and possibly Pick's disease later in his life.
He preferred to build extravagant estates and commission massive art projects, which led to unrest with both the public and the Bavarian government, with people annoyed at his wastefulness and inability to lead. In 1886, his body was found by a lake, and it was assumed that he had been slain.
Princess Victoria Melita Lost Two Children
The granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Victoria Melita, was spared from hemophilia, a disease caused by rampant inbreeding amongst royals throughout Europe. However, she had her fair share of problems. She went on to marry her cousin, the Grand Duke of Hesse, although there was no love in the marriage.
The two fought constantly, and the arguments were known for being particularly vicious. Yet, the couple had two children, with their first-born daughter dying at the age of eight, and their second, a son, was stillborn. It is assumed that their children's deaths were most likely due to the Princess and the Duke being cousins.
Caligula Was Ruthless And Without A Conscience
Rome had its fair share of cruel emperors, but Caligula tops the list. Known for his sadism and insanity, he often commanded lavish projects to be completed for no reason while Rome suffered. It is even said that he had an entire section of an audience at the gladiatorial games thrown to wild animals because he was bored.
After recovering from a serious illness that was believed to be caused by poison, Caligula descended into madness, banning or executing anyone whom he thought was a threat, as well as participating in horrendous acts of depravity and torture to secure complete power. Eventually, he was assassinated for his tyranny.
King Henry VI Thought He Was Made Of Glass
King Henry VI of England was made king before his first birthday and spent the majority of his life battling mental illness as England was slowly engulfed in the War of the Roses. He suffered his first mental breakdown in 1453, which rendered him completely useless as a ruler.
As time went on, his condition worsened to the point that he thought he was made of glass and would break at even the slightest touch. He was disposed of in 1461 by Yorkish forces, re-took the throne in 1470, although he was imprisoned and possibly murdered in 1471.
Queen Elizabeth I Had A Relentless Toothache
Queen Elizabeth immortalized herself for her success in expanding England, as well as defending the country against the Spanish. However, she did so with a throbbing pain in her mouth. The "Virgin Queen" had serious issues with her teeth. Many of them were missing and those that remained were yellow and rotting.
This resulted in consistent toothaches, although she would not allow any of her rotten teeth to be taken out. According to author Alison Weir, "This decision condemned her to years of intermittent pain from toothache, gum disease and resultant neuralgia in the face and neck."
Ivan IV Of Russia Earned The Title Of Ivan The Terrible
The first czar of Russia, Ivan IV, is known for transforming Russia from a medieval state into an empire, although at a significant cost to its people and the countries long-term success.
He is remembered for his madness and cruelty, taking pleasure in torturing and executing the nobility as well as slaughtering the entire city of Novgorod. Furthermore, he murdered his eldest son and heir in 1581 in a fit of rage as well as beating his pregnant daughter-in-law for her clothing, most likely resulting in a miscarriage.
King George V Suffered From Pleurisy
George V was the King of the United Kingdom, British Dominions, and the Emperor of India from 1906 until his death in 1936. Among his many health issues which developed during the First World War, he also suffered from pleurisy, in which a membrane in the chest cavity becomes inflamed.
As the king was at death's door, he was euthanized by his physician. At the request of his wife, George was given a serum that rendered him unconscious. It was then that he was given a fatal dose of morphine.
King Richard III Had More Ailments Than Thought
Made famous by William Shakespeare, King Richard III ruled England from 1483 to 1485 and was the last English king to die in battle. However, he suffered from extreme scoliosis, and from his remains discovered beneath a parking garage, it was noted that his left shoulder would have been much lower than the right.
In addition, his remains were found to have multiple roundworm eggs around his pelvis where his intestines should have been. So, not only was his spine contorted, but he was infested with worms as well.
Emperor Claudius Was Weaker Than He Looked
Emperor Claudius, the Roman emperor best-remembered from conquering Britain managed to accomplish a lot during his reign, however, he did so with numerous physical ailments. Supposedly, he had a speech impediment, his head shook, his knees frequently gave out, and his nose often ran when he was excited.
He also had the propensity to pass gas and was concerned about the health risks of not releasing it. According to Roman historian Suetonius, he "planned an edict to legitimize the breaking of wind at table, either silently or noisily."
Queen Victoria Is Likely Why Hemophilia Spread
Many royals across Europe in the 19th and 20th century were plagued with hemophilia and historians think it links back to Queen Victoria. She had the blood clotting disorder but luckily, managed to avoid any of the harsh side effects.
Five of Queen Victoria's grandchildren ended up dying for complications of hemophilia. Since her lineage spread all across the royal houses of Europe, it's likely she's the cause. Especially since hemophilia can be carried by female chromosomes.
Philip V Suffered From Intense Melancholia
Philip V was a grandson of Louis XiV, King of France. As a part of the French royal family, it was easy for him to ascend the Spanish throne after the War of the Spanish Succession. He held the throne from November 1700 to July 1746. He actually abdicated in favor of his son Louis in 1724 but when his son died months later, he reigned again.
Throughout his life and reign, Philip suffered from manic depression and melancholia. Apparently, he eased the pain of his mental illness with music by singer Farinelli.
Eric XIV Was Violent Due To Paranoia
As King of Sweden from 1560-1568, Eric XIV held with an iron fist. He was known for his intelligence, but also his bouts of rage and paranoia. Scholars still debate whether he was mentally ill before or after the start of his reign, but they all agree it affected his rule.
Eric XIV's paranoia was so harsh that he murdered several members of a rival family. The murders led to his downfall and Eric eventually was poisoned by guards.
Government Struggled Around Christian VII Of Denmark
Even though he was never formally diagnosed with any mental illness at the time, King Christian VII of Denmark was said to have shown severe mental and emotional instability. Christian VII ascended to the throne in 1766 but the government never fully formed around him. Things worsened after his marriage when he was said to have experienced paranoia, hallucinations, and self-harm.
The country was essentially run by whichever political advisor was favorable to Christian VII at the time. In many ways, he was said to be king only in name.
Otto Of Bavaria Never Truly Ruled
Before Ludwig II took the throne, Otto was king. Despite reigning from 1886-1913, he was never an active ruler due to multiple mental illnesses. Otto became depressed and anxious after the Franco-Prussian War and it got to the point when he was under constant supervision.
Later in his life, Otto was effectively held prisoner in his castle. Historians now believe he suffered from schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder, which was heightened thanks to physical paralysis from syphilis.
Talal Of Jordan Abdicated The Throne
Talal bin Abdullah became King of Jordan in 1951 but only one year later was forced to abdicate the throne. Parliament forced him off the throne after reports that he suffered from schizophrenia. The reports were enlarged after Queen Zein of Jordan went to the British Embassy in Paris and claimed that Talal has threatened her and her child with a knife.
Shortly after, Talal left the throne and spent the rest of his life in a sanatorium. Despite the short reign, he was known for establishing Jordan's modern constitution.
Tiberius Couldn't Stop The Rumors
Tiberius was part of a long line of Roman emperors that commanded respect. In his time he was known as one of the greatest generals Rome had ever seen. Still, he was considered "reclusive" and "sombre" with one historian Pliny the Elder calling him "the gloomiest of men."
This possible depression coincided with Tiberius' time in Capri. While there, many rumors swirled about his paranoia and cruelty. Whether he suffered from depression or not, it was clear that Tiberius was a troubled ruler.
Nero Was One Of The Most Tyrannical Rulers
Another Roman emperor thought to suffer from mental illness was the infamous Nero. Nero has gone down in history as the man who may have fiddled while Rome burned, and the one who murdered his own mother. He was known for being tyrannical and cruel.
Due to the over-the-top cruelness, many historians have wondered whether Nero also suffered from an illness that caused him to lack empathy or react to situations in ways outside his character.
Justin II Had Fits Of Insanity
Justin II ruled as the Eastern Roman Emperor as a member of the Justinian Dynasty. While he was known for showing force when necessary, Justin II also said to "take on the attitude of the invincible" and lack realism.
That led many to claim him insane. In 572, John of Ephesus claimed that Justin II suffered insanity and even "behaved like a wild animal, was wheeled about on a mobile throne, and required organ music to be played day and night."
Nebuchadnezzar II Thought He Was A Bovine
During the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar II reigned as King of Babylon from 506 BC - 562 BC. In Biblical history, he's known as the king who destroyed Solomon's Temple.
He's also described in the Bible as suffered from a mental illness condition now known as boanthropy. The psychological disorder occurs when a human believes they are bovine. In the Book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar II is described to "eat grass as oxen." He is the most famous person to have suffered from this disorder.
What King Tut Actually Looked Like
DNA studies of Tut's mummy indicate that he had a number of health problems that contributed to his death. Tut was a tall pharaoh but a frail one as well. Not only did he suffer from multiple bouts of malaria, but Tut also had a bone disorder and was revealed to have an infected broken leg at his death.
Evidence of a club foot also revealed the potential disadvantages of traditional inbreeding at the time (his mom and dad were brother and sister). These revelations shed more light on the life of King Tut, who is the only pharaoh pictured doing everything sitting down, including performing archery.
What Nero Actually Looked Like
In 2019, Spanish artists created a lifelike rendering of Nero based on busts, drawings, and descriptions of the emperor. This image captured Nero's attributes down to a tee, from his chinstrap to his dominant features.
In 64 A.D. a fire broke out and consumed the city of Rome, but Nero reacted by dressing up and singing from the roof of his palace. Before he could be executed, Nero took his own life saying, "What an artist dies in me!"
What Nefertiti Actually Looked Like
In 2018, Travel Channel's Expedition Unknown used 3D imaging technology to scan and digitally map the facial structure of a mummy known as "The Younger Lady." While "The Younger Lady" is believed to be Nefertiti, the mummy's true identity is still hotly debated.
After the mummy's face was scanned, paleoartist Elisabeth Daynes took 500 hours to recreate the face on the bust based on historical images of Nefertiti. This project seemed to prove that "The Younger Lady" was indeed Nefertiti. Upon its release, the image caused much controversy over the supposed color of Nefertiti's skin.
What Maximilien Robespierre Actually Looked Like
This was the supposed face of France's "Reign of Terror." In 2013, forensic pathologist Philippe Charlier teamed up with facial reconstruction specialist Philippe Froesch, to create a rendering of the French Revolution poster boy's face.
In addition to contemporary artwork of Robespierre (which was made to flatter him), Charlier and Froesch used Robespierre's death mask which was said to be made by the actual Madame Tussaud. Tussaud made the mask with Robespierre's severed head. He was executed July 28, 1794, a year after he became a member of the powerful Committee of Public Safety.
What Robert The Bruce Actually Looked Like
Using casts from what is believed to be Robert the Bruce's skull, researchers at the University of Glasgow determined what this Scottish king looked like in person. In the past, artists simply used their imaginations and word of mouth to create portraits and statues of Robert.
Using Face Lab technology, researchers used legal and archaeological evidence to create his likeness. In 1324, the Pope recognized Robert the Bruce as the rightful king of independent Scotland but he died five years later. He was buried at Dunfermine Abbey and his heart was interred at Melrose Abbey.
What Julius Caesar Actually Looked Like
At The National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, there is a 3D reconstruction of Julius Caesar. It was made based on a 3D scan of one of his marble portraits, artists were able to create this lifelike bust complete with salt and pepper hair.
After Caesar won the Roman civil war, his reign as dictator for life began. He began social and governmental reforms and even granted citizenship to residents in the farthest regions of the Roman Empire. Elite members of the Senate weren't pleased by Caesar's reign and assassinated him on the Ides of March, 44 B.C.
Hilda, The Ancient Druid
Meet "Hilda." Experts believe she might have been more than 60 years old when she died during the Iron Age (sometime between 55BC and AD400). This was double the life expectancy of humans at the time.
Karen Fleming, a forensic student at the University of Dundee, recreated the woman's characteristics by scanning her skull and then adding wax "muscles" and "skin" to the 3D replica. "Hilda was a fascinating character to recreate," Fleming said in a statement. "It's clear from the skull she was toothless before she died, which isn't too surprising considering the diet of folk back then but it was impressive how long she lived.
What Cleopatra Actually Looked Like
Cleopatra was well-educated and could speak multiple languages, which made her the dominant ruler during her co-regencies. She was also regarded as an exotic beauty that harnessed the powers of seduction, so she was also known for her romantic relations and alliances with rulers from other empires.
Considering her reputation, it's no surprise that 3D artists wanted to use existing portraiture and sculptures to determine what this Egyptian queen really looked like. Cleopatra's prominent nose and masculine features might come as a surprise to some who picture her the way Elizabeth Taylor portrayed her in film.
What Queen Elizabeth I Actually Looked Like
Collishaw created a hyper-realistic animatronic mask of Queen Elizabeth I that literally follows you around with her eyes and opens her mouth as if to speak. The mask is attached to a mirror and sits across the Armada Portrait on display at the Queen's House. While the famous Armada portrait depicts a youthful Elizabeth, she was actually 55 when it was painted in 1588 and Collishaw's mask shows a more accurate vision of what she might've looked like at the time.
The Virgin Queen ultimately reigned for 44 years until her death on March 24, 1603 at Richmond Palace.
What William Shakespeare Actually Looked Like
In 2010, Dr. Carolin Wilkinson of Dundee University analyzed Shakespeare's alleged death mask to create a rendering of what his face really looked like in person. Using 3D imaging to map out every feature of the face using the mask, Wilkinson was able to create this rendering that shows a somber Shakespeare.
Most people would agree that this depiction is somewhat similar to all the other interpretations out there, save for the fact that we don't have a view of his entire head. Shakespeare died at the age of 52 on April 23, 1616.
What George Washington Actually Looked Like
Researchers compared detailed renderings to painted portraits to create this computer-generated image of Washington to prove that most of his portraits are pretty authentic.
What makes this image so realistic is Washington's five o'clock shadow and his full head of hair – all of which was real and powdered white in his day. Washington died on December 14, 1799, after complications with a sore throat. He was 67 years old.
The Real Queen Of Scots
Professor Caroline Wilkinson of Dundee University used paintings and drawings to re-create a 3-D face of the Queen of Scots. Wilkinson also had to draw upon biographical info in order to bypass the highly stylized depictions of her artwork.
This rendering of her isn't too far off from how she looks in her classic paintings but you can clearly tell the difference. The feature of her that stayed closest to the original is her nose.
The Real Richard III
It wasn't possible to recreate what Richard III might have looked like until 2012. That's because his body was lost to history soon after he passed away. In 2012, a research team looked through some clues that brought them to a parking lot.
There they found his body and it was exhumed. There were a lot of members from Dundee University who helped bring us this image. There aren't realistic paintings from when he was alive, so researchers had to use historical records.
How A Queen Should Look
Researchers couldn't find much on Meritamun mainly because all they had was her skull. Still, they managed to find some information about the former queen. It indicated that she was between 18-25 years old. Her cause of death still remains a mystery.
Something interesting they discovered was that she had a sweet tooth due to her having tooth decay. This could have possibly been from eating a lot of honey! Even queens have a vice.
Will The Real Saint Anthony Please Stand Up
They say when Saint Anthony died, the bells rang by themselves and children were crying in the street. We know that his body was exhumed 30 years after his death, but all they had to go by were his jawbone and tongue.
Researchers from the University of St. Anthony of Padua's Anthropology Museum teamed up with a 3-D designer hailing from the University of Sao Paolo to recreate the real face of Saint Anthony.
