Ludwig II of Bavaria

Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886) was a 19th-century Bavarian king known for his lavish castles, most famously Neuschwanstein, which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. His reign was marked by artistic patronage, romantic ideals, and a fascination with medieval legends, but also by political instability and mental health struggles. Ludwig was a generous supporter of the arts, commissioning many works by composer Richard Wagner. His eccentric and reclusive behavior, along with his focus on building fairy-tale castles, made him a historical icon, but also led to questions about his stability. He was declared mentally unfit and died mysteriously at age 40.