Born 20 of December 1537 at Stegeborg's Castle. Parents: King Gustaf I and Margareta Eriksson (Leijonhufvud). Duke in 1557. Deposed his brother Erik XIV 29 of September 1568. Proclaimed King the following day. Crowned in the Cathedral of Uppsala 10 of July 1569. Died 17 of November 1592.
Married 1. 4 of October 1562 in Vilna to Katarina Jagellonica, born 1526, daughter of King Sigismund I Jagello of Poland and Bona Sforza of Milan. Children: Isabella (1564-1566), Sigismund, Anna (1568-1625).
Married 2. 21 of February 1585 in Västerås to Gunilla Bielke (1568-1597), daughter of Johan Axelsson Bielke and Margareta Posse. Child: Johan (1589-1618), Duke of Östergötland.
Motto: God our defender