The House of Spoelberch is a distinguished Belgian noble house. The family was also part of the Nobility of the Holy Roman Empire and today it is legally recognized as being part of the Belgian nobility.
History
The genealogy of this family can be traced back to an act of 19 April 1535, though they claim to have had the status of nobility since the late 14th century. This act mentions Willem Spoelberchs as the husband of Catherina van Hoegaerde, and as being the son of Wouter Spoelberchs.[1][2]
In 1828 Jean-Charles-Laurent-Joseph de Spoelberch de la Bawette inherited the Kasteel Drie Torens (Three Towers Castle) in Londerzeel.[3] Another castle obtained by marriage is in Wespelaar.
Members of the family bear the title of Viscount de Spoelberch. Today this noble house is one of the wealthiest families of the kingdom; their private fortune is an estimated €14 billion.[4]
André de Spoelberch, who died in 2017, was among the twenty wealthiest Belgians until his death. Part of that wealth was due to his stake in the global beer brewing company AB InBev.[5]
Members
Descendants from Generation IX
- Walter van Spoelberch, knight, died in Brussels 1581: married 1565 Catherine of Hardumont.
Descendants of Jean-Baptiste-Louis-Charles
John Baptiste III Louis Charles, Viscount de Spoelberch, married to Henrietta Countess de Brouchoven de Bergeyck.
References
- 1.Le Parchemin, 1937, page 369.
- 2.Jean-François Houtart, Anciennes familles de Belgique, ouvrage LXI de l’Association royale office généalogique héraldique de Belgique, 2008, page 170.
- 3."Park van het Kasteel Drie Torens". Inventaris van het Bouwkundig Erfgoed (in Dutch).
- 4."De Spoelberch: de familie van 14 miljard euro". Knack (in Dutch). 17 February 2015.
- 5.gn/blg. "Een van de rijkste Belgen overleden". Het Nieuwsblad (in Dutch).