Royalty · 1527–1598
Born: 21 May 1527 · Died: 13 September 1598 · Age at death: 71
Philip II of Spain died aged 71. He was born on 21 May 1527 and died on 13 September 1598.
King of Spain whose global empire reached its height under him, and who sent the Spanish Armada against England in 1588
Did you know?He was technically King of England during his marriage to Mary I, with his name appearing alongside hers on official documents.
Philip II ruled the first empire on which the sun never set. He was the son of Emperor Charles V and inherited Spain, the Netherlands, much of Italy and vast lands in the Americas. Through his second marriage, to Mary I, he was also briefly King of England. In 1580 he added Portugal and its empire. He ran his realm from his desk, reading endless reports at the Escorial palace. A Holy League fleet led by his half-brother beat the Ottomans at Lepanto. But the Dutch revolted and the Armada against England failed. American silver could not stop repeated royal bankruptcies.
Philip II (21 May 1527 – 13 September 1598), sometimes known in Spain as Philip the Prudent (Spanish: Felipe el Prudente), was King of Spain from 1556, King of Portugal from 1580, and King of Naples and Sicily from 1554 until his death in 1598.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Profile
Spanish king, 1527–1598
Philip II was born in Valladolid on 21 May 1527.
He became King of Spain in 1556.
He sent the Spanish Armada against England in 1588.
He died at El Escorial on 13 September 1598, aged 71.
Career highlights
Did you know?The Philippines are named after him.
Questions people ask
1471–1528
1688–1744
1921–1989
b. 1955
b. 1986
b. 1944Missing someone? Suggest them
b. 1946
1917–1963
b. 1942
1265–1321A newspaper from their birth date
The front page from the day they were born, a classic keepsake.
Shop on AmazonGemini zodiac gifts
Jewellery, prints and candles for the Gemini in your life.
Shop on EtsyStar map of May 21
A custom print of the night sky on their birthday.
Shop on EtsyMilestone birthday gifts
Ideas for 18th, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond.
Shop on AmazonWe may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.
Last reviewed: October 2026