Juan Carlos I

Second child of Infante Juan de Borbón y Battenberg conde de Barcelona, son of King Alfonso XIII; was born during the exile of the royal family living in Italy after the Revolution of 1931; received primary education at Fribourg, Switzerland, and San Sebastián, Spain; graduated with bachelor's decree from the San Isidro School in Madrid (1954); attended the Joint Military Academy of Zaragoza (1955-1957), Navy Academy of Pontevedra (1957-1958) and Joint Academy of Air Force of San Javier (1958-1959); studied law, economy and public administration at the Complutense University of Madrid (1960-1961); was designated as successor to Francisco Franco Bahamonde (22 Jul 1969); was made brigade general of the infantry, rear admiral, and brigade general of the air force (23 Jul 1969); confirmed at position of "heredero de la Corona" ("heir to the Crown") and temporary head of state for the cases of Franco's incapacity or absence (Law No. 26/1971); provisionally exercised the functions of Head of State during the illness of Franco (19 Jul 1974 - 2 Sep 1974, 30 Oct 1975 - 20 Nov 1975); promoted to captain general of the army, navy and air force (20 Nov 1975); in accordance with the Law on Succession in the Headship of State (Ley de Sucesión en la Jefatura del Estado, 1947), installed as King of Spain (22 Nov 1975); received dynastic rights and position as Head of the Spanish Royal Household from his father (14 May 1977); became constitutional ruler after the coming into effect of the Constitution of Spain (29 Dec 1978). Biography source: [4]