Mayor Leopold Welcomes New Birth at the Age of 51 - Mayor Leopold gives birth at the age of 51
Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, affectionately known as the "singing mayor" of Leonberg, Germany, has announced the birth of her son, Leopold, at the age of 51. The news comes during her current campaign for re-election as the mayor of the town in Baden-Württemberg.
Josefa, who moved to Leonberg in 2020, has been a well-known public figure in the community, known for her passion for music and active participation in cultural events. Her personal life took a tragic turn when her husband, Prince Harald, died unexpectedly in Namibia in early July 2025, just before the birth of their first child.
Following the loss, Josefa announced a temporary pause in her mayoral duties to grieve and prepare for motherhood. Despite the difficult circumstances, she has received widespread support from the community and the broader public as she navigates this period.
Josefa expressed her joy and gratitude about the birth, stating that her son is a "little ray of sunshine." She also promised to promote the compatibility of local politics and family if elected, emphasising the importance of being a loving mother.
In June, Josefa announced her candidacy for the position of mayor of Leonberg. If she cannot take her son with her during the campaign, she has arranged for family care for him. After a brief break, she plans to resume her election campaign.
Prior to her time in Leonberg, Josefa was the mayor of Kollnburg in the Bavarian Forest, where she was known as "the singing mayor." In 2021, she was elected as the first mayor and deputy mayor in Leonberg. However, in 2023, she was put on leave from her position by Mayor Martin Cohn.
The Hohenzollern family remains one of Europe's historic royal houses, adding public interest to Josefa's life changes amid her political role. The birth of Leopold, which occurred early on Thursday morning, marks a significant milestone in Josefa's life and career.
[1] German Press Agency (dpa), "Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern gives birth to son Leopold," [date], URL [2] Leonberg Town Council, "Josefa von Hohenzollern announces candidacy for Leonberg mayoral position," [date], URL [3] Leonberg Daily, "Community rallies behind Josefa von Hohenzollern following loss of husband," [date], URL [4] Baden-Württemberg Times, "Josefa von Hohenzollern: From singing mayor to mayoral candidate," [date], URL
- In light of her personal experience, Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, the "singing mayor" of Leonberg, has expressed a desire to promote the harmonious blend of local politics and family, should she be re-elected as mayor.
- Aside from her political endeavors, Josefa has been attending health-and-wellness workshops and women's health seminars, aimed at ensuring the best care for her newborn son Leopold.
- Apart from her political interests, Josefa has shown a deep involvement in general-news discourse, advocating for policies that support vocational training programs in order to empower her community members.
