: During a severe economic recession in Spain, the king was pictured with a dead elephant on an expensive safari in Botswana.

Juan Carlos I ascended to the throne in 1975, just two days after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. He was initially seen as Franco's protege, but he defied expectations by steering Spain toward a modern parliamentary monarchy.

: He famously stood down a military coup in 1981, cementing his legacy as a "national savior".

: Allegations emerged regarding a $100 million payment from Saudi Arabia hidden in secret Swiss bank accounts.

: The hunt was attended by his long-time lover, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, whose later legal battles would haunt the monarchy.

: For decades, he was considered one of the most popular and progressive monarchs in Europe. 📉 The Fall: Scandals and Secrets

The king's reputation began to unravel in 2012, triggered by a series of personal and financial scandals.