Alfred Hilbe

Alfred J. Hilbe (, ; 22 July 1928 – 31 October 2011) was a political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1970 to 1974.

Early life
Hilbe was born in Gmunden, Austria,as the son of Franz Hilbe and Elisabeth Glatz. He attended high school in Vaduz and Zurich. Hilbe enrolled in the École National des Sciences politiques in Paris, where he received a diploma in 1950. From 1950 to 1951, he studied economics in Innsbruck.

He worked in the private sector and in the Liechtenstein embassy in Bern.

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein
He was the Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1965 to 18 March 1970 under Gerard Batliner, and then Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1970 to 1974. His party Patriotic Union won the 1970 Liechtenstein general election with 49.57% of the vote, making it the first time it had held a majority since its formation in 1936 and Hilbe was appointed to serve as Prime Minister.

During Hilbe's term in office, he pioneered reforms of Liechtenstein's school system and efforts to address women's suffrage in Liechtenstein via two separate referendums on the topic in 1971 and 1973, though unsuccessful. In addition, his term included the reopening of the Liechtenstein National Museum in 1972.

Later life
After his term as Prime Minister ended in 1974, Hilbe became a honorary member of the Patriotic Union and a self-employed financial consultant in Vaduz and Schaan. He was also the president of the board of directors at the old age and survivors’ insurance from 1974 to 1978. From 1965 to 1995 he was a member of the press association for the Liechtensteiner Vaterland.

From 1980 to 1982, and again from 1988 to 1990, he was the president of the Switzerland–Liechtenstein society. He was also president of the Liechtenstein tennis association. He was made an honorary member of the Switzerland–Liechtenstein society in 2000.

Personal life
Hilbe married Virginia Joseph (born 14 July 1928) 27 October 1951 and they had one child together.

He died on 31 October 2011, aged 83 years old.