Ladislaus's II reign lasted barely half a year. During his nephew's, Stephen's III reign, he reigned from 1162 until his death in 1163. His father Béla II king of Hungary, his mother was Ilona.

Archbishop Mikó of Kalocsa crowned him in July 1162 Ladislaus II king of Hungary. After the coronation, Archbishop Lukács, who had been at the head of the Church of Hungary since 1158, cursed the new king, so the archbishop was thrown into prison by order of Ladislaus.

He died in 1163, probably as a result of poisoning. In power, his younger brother, Stephen IV followed.

II. László's coins are called silent denarii, although there is at least one issue of coins with inscriptions.