# Juan Carlos I

_King of Spain from 1975 to 2014_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/juan-carlos-i
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Juan Carlos I is a member of the Spanish royal family who reigned as King of Spain from 1975 until his abdication in 2014. Although chosen by Francisco Franco as his successor, Juan Carlos helped dismantle the Francoist system and oversee the Spanish transition to democracy.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 5 January 1938 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P19))
- **Citizenship:** Spain ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P27))
- **Occupation:** monarch; aristocrat; royalty; military officer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P106))
- **Education:** Instituto San Isidro; Villa St. Jean International School; General Military Academy; Military Naval Academy; Academia General del Aire; University of Madrid ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P69))
- **Spouse:** Queen Sofía of Spain ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P26))
- **Positions held:** king emeritus of Spain (since 19 June 2014); Monarch of Spain (22 November 1975 – 17 June 2014); Head of State of Spain (22 November 1975 – 17 June 2014); Grand Master of the Order of Alcántara (1975–2014); Prince of Spain (22 July 1969 – 22 November 1975) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour; Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Order of the White Eagle; Collar of the Order of the White Lion; Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece; Charlemagne Prize; Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize; Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal; Nansen Refugee Award; Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars; Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (civil); Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania; Order of Francisco Morazán; Royal Victorian Chain; International Simón Bolívar Prize ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943#P166))

## Questions

**When was Juan Carlos I born?**  
Juan Carlos I was born on 5 January 1938 in Rome.

**What positions has Juan Carlos I held?**  
Positions held by Juan Carlos I include: king emeritus of Spain (since 19 June 2014); Monarch of Spain (1975–2014); Head of State of Spain (1975–2014); Grand Master of the Order of Alcántara (1975–2014); Prince of Spain (1969–1975).

**Where did Juan Carlos I study?**  
Juan Carlos I was educated at Instituto San Isidro, Villa St. Jean International School, General Military Academy, Military Naval Academy.

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- [Joseph Bonaparte](https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-bonaparte)
- [Alfonso XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/alfonso-xiii)
- [Alfonso XII](https://diginpl.com/people/alfonso-xii)
- [Amadeo I of Spain](https://diginpl.com/people/amadeo-i-of-spain)
- [Charles III of Spain](https://diginpl.com/people/charles-iii-of-spain)
- [Francesc Pi i Margall](https://diginpl.com/people/francesc-pi-i-margall)
- [Francisco Serrano, 1st Duke of la Torre](https://diginpl.com/people/francisco-serrano-1st-duke-of-la-torre)
- [Nicolás Salmerón](https://diginpl.com/people/nicolas-salmeron)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Juan Carlos I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Carlos_I) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q19943](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19943) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Rey Juan Carlos 2013.jpg by Irekia (CC BY 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rey_Juan_Carlos_2013.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Juan Carlos I, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Rey Juan Carlos 2013.jpg — Irekia, CC BY 2.0.

## Cite this page

"Juan Carlos I". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/juan-carlos-i. Retrieved 6 November 2026.