Carol II was the King of Romania from 1930 to 1940. He was born on October 15, 1893, and was the son of Ferdinand I and Marie of Romania. His reign was marked by political instability and the rise of authoritarianism in Romania. In 1938, Carol II established a royal dictatorship, dissolving political parties and curtailing civil liberties. His rule faced opposition, leading to his abdication in 1940. After leaving the throne, he lived in exile and returned to Romania briefly after World War II, but he was ultimately forced to leave again. He died on April 4, 1953.