On February 9, 1957, Miklós Horthy died at the age of 88. He was a Hungarian naval officer, statesman, author, and regent of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1920 to 1944. Born in 1868 in Kenderes, Hungary, Horthy was the 25th child of Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya, an officer in the Imperial Austrian navy. He followed in his father's footsteps and joined the navy, graduating as an ensign in 1887. He rose to the rank of commander in 1914 and was made rear admiral in 1917. On November 1, 1918, Horthy was designated as Commander-in-Chief of the new National Army of Hungary, with full military and political power. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Horthy was elected regent of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1920. During his rule, Horthy introduced many policies that have been credited with modernizing Hungary, such as the expansion of railroads and reduction of illiteracy. He also close ties with Nazi Germany but after Hungary was occupied in 1944, he gave up his powers as regent. He left Hungary and died in Estoril, Portugal, at 88 years of age. He is remembered as a leader and statesman of Hungary and his legacy continues to be studied today.