Ludwig Hoffmann-Rumerstein


Ludwig Hoffmann von Rumerstein is the former Grand Commander of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He was acting head of the order for some months in 2017.

Early life

Hoffmann-Rumerstein is the son of Ernst Hoffmann von Rumerstein and of his wife, Baroness Pia Riccabona von Reichenfels. He was baptised with the names Ludwig Franz Xaver Irenäus Joseph Peter Raimund Maria.
Hoffmann-Rumerstein studied law at the University of Innsbruck graduating in 1962. He then studied philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University. After he completed his military service, he practised as a lawyer in Innsbruck from 1970 to 2002.

Order of Malta

Hoffmann-Rumerstein’s work with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta began as a volunteer. In 1968 he co-founded the Order’s Austrian volunteer corps in North Tyrol. In 1970 he joined the Order as a Knight of Honour and Devotion. From 1971 to 1979 he led the Order’s group of volunteers in Innsbruck. From 1979 to 1986 he was a member of the board of directors of the Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria.
In 1984 Hoffmann-Rumerstein took vows as a Knight of Justice. That same year he was elected a member of the Order’s Sovereign Council. He served as Grand Commander of the Order from 1994 to 2004. He was re-elected Grand Commander in 2014.
From the end of January until the end of April 2017, Hoffmann-Rumerstein was the acting head of the Order, as Lieutenant ad interim, after the resignation of Fra' Matthew Festing as Prince and Grand Master He retained this office until April 29, 2017, when the Complete Council of State elected Fra' Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto as Lieutenant of the Grand Master for a period of one year.

Honours