Mihael Obrenovich Serbian prince. Date of Birth: 04.09.1823 Country: Serbia

1. Biography of Mikhail Obrenovich
2. Early Life and Ascension to the Throne
3. Return to Serbia and Reign

Biography of Mikhail Obrenovich

Mikhail Obrenovich was a Serbian prince who was born on September 4 (September 16 in the Gregorian calendar), 1823, and died on May 29 (June 10), 1868. He served as the Serbian prince from 1839 to 1842 and from 1860 until his assassination in 1868.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne

Mikhail Obrenovich was the younger son of Prince Milosh Obrenovich. He was born in 1823 and was chosen by the Senate to become the prince of Serbia after the death of his older brother, Milan, who ruled Serbia for only a few weeks. Milosh agreed and sent his son to Serbia. Turkey also recognized this election but demanded that Vuchich and Petronievich be advisers to the young prince. Supported by the Senate, Mikhail refused to comply with this demand and appointed his uncle, Efrem Obrenovich, and Georgi Protich to lead the government. Vuchich and Petronievich, taking advantage of the subsequent increase in taxes, skillfully manipulated the people. The young prince hesitated, moved the capital from Belgrade to Kragujevac, and from Kragujevac back to Belgrade, but still could not do anything. In 1842, instead of seeking protection from the Turkish garrison in the Belgrade Citadel, as advised by the Russian consul, Mikhail fled abroad from the enemies who had already occupied Belgrade. From then on, he lived mainly in Vienna, where he worked extensively on his previously limited education.

Return to Serbia and Reign

In 1859, with the restoration of Milosh to the throne, Mikhail returned to Serbia, and in 1860, after his father's death, he ascended the throne once again. He diligently worked on preparing full independence for Serbia and its integration into the circle of European powers. After the bombardment of Belgrade by the Turks in 1862, he succeeded in clearing Serbian fortresses of Turkish garrisons. A gentle and kind-hearted person by nature, he gained considerable popularity but lost a significant portion of it in 1867-1868 due to his timid policy towards Turkey and ambiguous attitude towards the Bulgarian Legion formed in Belgrade. Mikhail was married to Countess Julia Gunjadi, whom he divorced in 1865. Their marriage was childless, so he adopted and made his cousin's nephew, Milan, his heir. In 1868, Mikhail was assassinated in Topcider (near Belgrade) by supporters of the Karageorgevich dynasty, who failed to reap the fruits of their murder. A monument to Mikhail was erected in the main square of Belgrade.