SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

CoronavirusLuxembourg

Grand Duchess Maria Theresa’s uncle dies of the coronavirus

Victor Batista Falla, the uncle of Grand Duchess Maria Theresa of Luxembourg, has died of the coronavirus at the age of 87.

The news was announced on the official Instagram page of the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg. The message reads, “It is with great sadness that Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess announce the death of Mr Victor Batista Falla, uncle of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess and last living brother of her mother.

© Cour grand-ducale

“Mr Victor Batista Falla, who lived in Madrid, had gone to visit his native country, Cuba, where he had not returned for 60 years. He died there on Easter Sunday at the age of 87 from COVID-19. Victor Batista Falla was a recognized publisher and one of the greatest patrons of Cuban literature in exile. His death is a great loss for the whole family of HRH the Grand Duchess.”

The Grand Duchess was born in Havana, Cuba before the family moved to New York. She met her future husband at university and their engagement was announced in 1980 at the end of their studies. They married the following year and since her husband’s accession in 2000, she has been the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. She and her husband have five children and four grandchildren – and one more on the way.