'Last Ottoman' Dies at Age 97

-- Wikinews
Friday, September 25, 2009

Ertuğrul Osman, the last surviving pretender to the Ottoman throne, died on Wednesday after a renal failure at the age of 97. His wife, who was by his side, when he died, confirmed this was the case. The location of his death is a hospital in Istanbul. He had spent one week in hospital at the time of his death.

Osman was born on August 18, 1912 at Yıldız Palace in Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. He was a former Prince of the Ottoman Empire and the 43rd Head of the dethroned House of Osman from 1994 until his death. If the throne were reconsecrated, he would have assumed the name Sultan Osman V.

He was fourth in line to rule when the monarchy was abolished in 1923, and the modern Republic of Turkey replaced the Imperial Dynasty. He was regarded by Turks as the "last Ottoman".