politics

March 19, 2026

Of all the tragic deaths of Serbian rulers, his is the worst: Ruled only 26 days, everyone forgot him!

He ruled for only 26 days and as a Serbian prince did not sign any document, moreover, a relative of the same name 'overshadowed' him, so Prince Milan Obrenović is largely unknown in Serbia today.

Of all the tragic deaths of Serbian rulers, his is the worst: Ruled only 26 days, everyone forgot him!

TL;DR

  • Prince Milan Obrenović II ruled Serbia for only 26 days in 1839.
  • He was the son of Prince Miloš and older brother of Prince Mihailo Obrenović.
  • Milan was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was very sickly from birth.
  • He became prince after his father, Miloš, abdicated in his favor on June 13, 1839.
  • He was reportedly unaware he had become ruler and was too ill to govern or sign any documents.
  • A regency council was appointed to rule in his stead.
  • Milan died on July 8, 1839, at the age of 20, having ruled for 25 days.
  • His reign was overshadowed by a cousin, also named Milan Obrenović, leading to his obscurity in Serbian history.
  • Donji Milanovac is named in his honor.

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