King Carol I of Romania was the first king of modern Romania, reigning from 1866 until his death in 1914. He was born in 1839 in Germany and belonged to the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen family. Carol I played a crucial role in unifying the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, which eventually formed the Kingdom of Romania in 1881. During his reign, Carol I focused on modernizing Romania's infrastructure, military, and economy. He also promoted education and cultural development, helping to establish Romania as a significant player in European politics. His leadership laid the foundation for Romania's future growth and stability.