Ion Victor Antonescu (June 15, 1882 - June 1, 1946) was a Romanian military officer who became Prime Minister of Romania, and eventually, its supreme leader. Ion Victor had gained a war hero's status due to his actions in the 1907 Peasant Revolt and in World War I. This status helped propel him in the fascist political movements in Romania. After attaining the position of Prime Minister he led a coup that exiled King Carlo II. By popular demand, Carlo's son, Michael I, was appointed King of Romania. However, it was Ion, as 'Leader of the People', who continued to hold supreme power.
During the war Ion's administration supplied more aid to the Axis powers then any other member of the alliance. During his rule, 300,000 Romanian Jews were either deported or killed. Ion, however, did prevent the death of Jews who were part of the old families of Romania, in order to keep the nation's economy in good order. Ion was eventually overthrown by Michael I when Romania faced Communist Revolt.
When the Soviets gained influence, Michael handed Ion over to Soviet authorities who put him on trail for war crimes, and found him guilty. Ion was executed on June 1, 1946. Many Romanian nationalists were appalled that their hero had been judged so, and pointed out the unfair nature of the trail. Ion's case was later re-examined by an international review, which found the proceeding unjust, but the outcome true in its judgment.
Family[]
Unknown, Father
Lita Baranga, Mother
Frieda Cuperman, Stepmother
Rasela Mendal, first wife; Jewish, m. 1924 div. 1926; one child
Maria "Rita" Niculesu, second wife; m. 1928
???, child