Princess Gloria Auctions Heirlooms to Pay Inheritance Tax; Diadem Later Stolen from Louvre

In 1990, at the age of 30, Gloria von Thurn und Taxis inherited a vast fortune upon the death of her husband, Prince Johannes. This transition into widowhood came with a substantial financial burden: an inheritance tax of approximately 45 million German Marks.

With insufficient liquid assets to meet the tax obligation, Princess Gloria was compelled to auction off a significant portion of her family's treasures. Among the items put up for sale were valuable furniture and exquisite jewelry. She famously commented on the necessity of the sale, stating, "I don't wear crowns that often."

The auction included a particularly notable piece: a diadem crafted for the wedding of Emperor Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo. This historical artifact, which Princess Gloria herself wore at her own wedding, was sold for nearly one million Marks and eventually found its way to Paris.

Tragically, the diadem's story took a dramatic turn years later. In the autumn of 2025, it was among the valuable items stolen during a high-profile jewel heist at the Louvre Museum.

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I don't wear crowns that often.