King Ahmed Zogu I – the legend of Albania who survived over 50 assassination attempts

A life full of dangers – the story of King Ahmed Zogu I

Ahmed Zogu I had an unusual name and habit – he smoked up to 150 perfumed cigarettes daily. He was almost indestructible. During his reign, he survived over 55 assassination attempts. He had many enemies. He feared someone might poison him. For this reason, only his mother and older sister prepared his food.

Beginnings – from hostage to leader of Albania

Ahmed Muhtar Bej Zogolli was born in 1895. At that time, Albania was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. The country was divided into clans, and people didn’t feel national unity. He came from the wealthy Mati clan. He spent his youth in Constantinople as a hostage of the Turkish sultan. The sultan wanted to force obedience from his family this way. He received his education in Turkey. Critics, however, claimed he only completed three grades of elementary school and was partially illiterate.

Political career and first assassination attempts

In 1920, he returned to Albania with support from southern landowners and northern tribal leaders. He began a dynamic political career. At age 25, he became Minister of Internal Affairs, and two years later, Prime Minister. In 1920-21, Albania had seven prime ministers, so this was a success. Shortly after taking power, there was an assassination attempt on his life. A student shot him outside parliament. He took two bullets to the stomach but went to the podium and continued the session. This amazed the deputies.

After the attack, he fled for a year to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Upon his return, he regained power.

Alliance with Mussolini and Italian protectorate

The twenties were very difficult for Albania. The country was the poorest in Europe. There were no funds for the military. To develop the country, Zogu formed an alliance with Mussolini. This led to Albania’s subordination to fascist Italy. In 1938, he married a Hungarian noblewoman for love. The wedding caused a stir in Europe. Hitler gave him a red Mercedes.

End of rule and life in exile

On April 7, 1939, Italian forces invaded Albania. The country became an Italian protectorate. Zogu fled to Greece, then through Poland to London. Later he lived with his family in Egypt, and after four years in the USA, on Long Island. Finally, he settled on the French Riviera. He died there in 1961, at age 66. Until 1946, he remained king in exile. The communists under Enver Hoxha stripped him of his title.

How did Ahmed Zogu I gain the crown?

He exploited the low education level of Albanians to gain support from landowners. In 1928, he declared himself king. He hired historians who created a new history of Albania, presenting it as a monarchy with long traditions. His idol was Napoleon Bonaparte, whose biography he knew very well. The coronation ceremony was grand. He used replicas of the royal insignia – Skanderbeg’s sword and helmet, because the museum in Vienna refused him the originals. He took his oath on the Bible and Quran. His official title was “King of all Albanians” and was meant to strengthen national unity.

The king’s legacy and his luxuries

The coronation brought him prestige and a large budget. Thanks to this, he realized his expensive dreams, such as building a royal residence in Durres or purchasing luxury Mercedes cars. The palace in Durres is now a tourist attraction and can be visited.