The Glutton King
Adolf Frederick (1710 – 1771) was king of Sweden from 1751 until his death twenty years later. A weak monarch, he occupied a throne that once seated dynamic giants who shook Europe, such as kings Gustavus Adolphus and Charles XII. Little of import to the outside world happened in Adolf Frederick’s reign. He is better known to history for his comically undignified death than for any accomplishment as a ruler, and is remembered as the king who ate himself to death.
He was not a direct heir to the throne, but was elected heir after Sweden failed to reconquer lands lost to Russia a generation earlier. His election was secured by Russian bayonets, after Tsarina Elizabeth demanded Adolf Frederick’s election as a condition for peace. She threatened to annex huge chunks of Swedish territory if her preferred candidate lost. The Swedes gave in, and Adolf Frederick was elected heir in 1743, and ascended the throne in 1751. Then, as seen below, he ate himself to death with lavish meals.
