Umberto II was the last king of Italy, reigning for a brief period in 1946. He was born on September 15, 1904, and became king after his father, King Victor Emmanuel III, abdicated in May 1946. His reign lasted only 35 days, as a referendum held in June 1946 led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the Italian Republic. After his abdication, Umberto II went into exile, primarily living in Portugal. He passed away on March 18, 1983, in Geneva, Switzerland. Despite his short reign, he is remembered for his attempts to modernize the monarchy and his efforts to promote national unity during a turbulent time in Italian history.