Charlotte von Mahlsdorf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf
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Berlin Gay Pride Parade, 1994
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| Born | 18 March 1928 Berlin-Mahlsdorf, Germany
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| Died | 30 April 2002 (aged 74) Berlin, Germany
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Charlotte von Mahlsdorf (born Lothar Berfelde on March 18, 1928 – died April 30, 2002) was a famous German collector and museum founder. She became a well-known figure in Germany, especially after a movie about her life called I Am My Own Woman was released in 1992.
Charlotte was known for collecting everyday items from a historical period in Germany called the Gründerzeit (around the 1870s). She saved these items in a special museum. Her museum also became a safe and popular meeting spot for people in East Berlin who were part of the gay community. This was often not approved by the government at the time.
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Early Life and Discoveries
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf was born in Berlin-Mahlsdorf, Germany. From a very young age, she was interested in clothes and items usually worn by girls. She enjoyed collecting things. She helped a dealer clear out apartments and sometimes kept interesting items she found. This was the start of her passion for collecting.
Building a Museum
Charlotte's collection grew into the Gründerzeit Museum. She worked hard to save an old manor house in Mahlsdorf that was going to be torn down. Because of her efforts, she was allowed to live there for free.
In 1960, Charlotte opened her museum in the partly rebuilt manor house. It showed everyday objects from the Gründerzeit, a time when the German Empire was founded. The museum quickly became popular with people interested in movies, art, and the gay community. From 1970 onwards, many gatherings and celebrations for the gay community in East Berlin took place at the museum.
In 1974, the East German government wanted to take control of her museum and its exhibits. To protest, Charlotte started giving away her collection items to visitors. Thanks to the help of actress Annekathrin Bürger and a lawyer, the government's attempt to take over the museum was stopped in 1976. Charlotte was able to keep her museum. Some people believe she might have worked with the secret East German police (Stasi) to protect her museum, though this is not fully confirmed.
In 1991, her museum faced a difficult time when some people with extreme views attacked one of her events. Several visitors were hurt. After this, Charlotte thought about leaving Germany.
In 1992, she received a special award called the Bundesverdienstkreuz, which is the 'Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.'
Charlotte decided to leave Germany in 1995. She guided her last visitor through the museum that year. In 1997, she moved to Porla Brunn, a small town in Sweden. There, she opened a new museum dedicated to the turn of the 19th century. The city of Berlin bought the Gründerzeit Museum, and it was reopened in 1997 by a group called "Förderverein Gutshaus Mahlsdorf e. V."
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf passed away from heart failure on April 30, 2002, while visiting Berlin.
Remembering Charlotte
People still remember Charlotte von Mahlsdorf for many reasons. She is honored for starting the Gründerzeit Museum. She is also remembered for being a transgender woman and for highlighting how gay people were treated unfairly in Germany, both during the Third Reich and in East Germany.
A group worked to create a memorial for Charlotte. They wanted the memorial to say: "I Am My Own Woman – Charlotte von Mahlsdorf – March 18, 1928 – April 30, 2002." However, her family preferred a different inscription. So, the memorial says: "Lothar Berfelde, 1928 – 2002, known as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. In memory of the [male] founder of the museum." This shows how her identity was seen differently by various people.
Movies About Her Life
- In 1992, German filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim made a movie about Charlotte called I Am My Own Woman. Charlotte herself appeared in the film.
- Another film by Rosa von Praunheim called Charlotte in Schweden was made in 2002. It showed Charlotte's new life in Sweden.
- Charlotte by John Edward Heys was released in 2009.
Plays About Her Life
- American writer Doug Wright wrote a play called I Am My Own Wife. It was based on Charlotte von Mahlsdorf's life and won many awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
- German writer Peter Süß, who helped Charlotte with her book, also made a play called Ich bin meine eigene Frau. It first opened in 2006.
- An adaptation of Doug Wright's play, called Ich mach ja doch, was ich will (I still do what I want), was shown in Munich, Germany, in 2012.
