Zsa Zsa Gabor's Spouse Runs For California Governor

Could actress Zsa Zsa Gabor be California's next first lady?

That may seem implausible, but her ninth husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt, a German-born socialite with no previous political experience, on Monday announced his own independent campaign to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor.

Von Anhalt, 65, launched his long-shot bid for office with a news conference in West Hollywood and the unveiling of a large billboard on the Sunset Strip, showing him smiling and dressed in a military-style coat adorned with various medals.

Von Anhalt described himself as a longtime Republican and fiscal conservative who is liberal on social issues -- he supports gay marriage rights, a broad amnesty for illegal immigrants and legalization of marijuana.

The German native, who reportedly acquired his title after he was adopted as an adult by a German princess, is a familiar face to followers of celebrity gossip sites and tabloids. In 2007, he declared himself the potential father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter. He also created a stir that year when he was found handcuffed and naked in his Rolls-Royce, claiming he was robbed by three female fans.

Born Hans Robert Lichtenberg in Wallhausen, Germany, he was the son of a police detective and was, he once admitted, the village troublemaker. But he discovered a noteworthy talent early on. "I always knew how to handle women," he says.

An avid sportsman, he befriended the son of Princess Marie Auguste of Anhalt, a member of the German nobility and daughter-in-law of Kaiser Wilhelm II. "We played soccer together," Frédéric says. "He moved to Chile and had a big horse ranch. All of a sudden he had a car accident and he died."

This left an intriguing vacancy in the hereditary-title department, and Frédéric was soon consoling his friend's bereaved mother. "The princess was all alone," he explains. "Because I knew she was lonely, I called her and took her out sometimes for dinner."

Did they ever have a romantic relationship? "No, no, no!" he exclaims. "She was an old lady. But she liked conversation."

His ministrations also included other favors. "She called me and said, 'My brother in Switzerland died.' I said, 'No problem, I take you down,'" Frédéric reports. "I did things like that. I didn't have any parents anymore, so one day she said, 'I'm going to adopt you. You'll be Royal Highness. You'll have the highest title in Germany—everybody's going to be jealous of you!'"