Walther Franz Xaver Anton, Prince of Dietrichstein

As the third son of his family, since early childhood Walther Franz was destined to a Church career; in consequence, he studied theology and law in Salzburg and later became a Canon in Olomouc and Passau.

Because Leopold Ignaz exhausted the family fortune with his wasteful and extravagant lifestyle, the new prince was forced to stabilize the financial situation of his domains, which brought him in later years frequent allegations of frugality.

In the Imperial court, Walther Franz only held the functions of Privy Councillor and Kämmerer of Emperors Joseph I and Charles VI.

Two years later (1719) another fire broke out; this time, Nikolsburg Castle was significantly affected and Walther Franz was forced to finance an extensive redevelopment to his residence.

Before he died, he gave to his second surviving son Johann Baptist Leopold the districts of Boskovice (inherited from his first wife in 1691) and Sokolnice (which he purchased in 1705) as an appanage.