Archduke of Austria-Este Reign 1889 - 1914 Predecessor Francis II As Archduke of Austria-Este Also Francis V as Duke of Modena Successor Charles Spouse Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg Issue Princess Sophie von Hohenberg Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg Prince Ernst von Hohenberg House House of Habsburg-Lorraine Father Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria Mother Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies Born 18 December 1863(1863-12-18) Graz, Austrian Empire Died 28 June 1914(1914-06-28) (aged 50) Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary Signature Religion Roman Catholic Monarchical styles of Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este Reference style His Imperial and Royal Highness Spoken style Your Imperial and Royal Highness Alternative style Sir Archduke Franz Ferdinand (right) with his family Franz Ferdinand (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914) was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia. This caused Germany and Austria-Hungary, and countries allied with Serbia (the Triple Alliance Powers) to declare war on each other, starting World War I..