Clärenore Stinnes facts for kids
Clärenore Stinnes (born Clara Eleonore Stinnes; January 21, 1901 – September 7, 1990) was a brave German car racer. She became famous for being the first European woman to drive all the way around the world in a car. She completed this incredible journey with a Swedish filmmaker named Carl-Axel Söderström.
Before Clärenore, some Americans had also driven around the world. Harriet White Fisher was the first woman to do it in 1909-1910. Another woman, Aloha Wanderwell, was the first to drive herself around the world between 1922 and 1927. Clärenore Stinnes's trip was a huge achievement for her time.
Contents
Early Life and Racing Career
Clärenore Stinnes was born in Mülheim, a city in Germany. Her father, Hugo Stinnes, was a very important industrialist and politician in Germany. Growing up, Clärenore developed a passion for cars and racing.
When she was 24 years old, Clärenore entered her very first car race. She was a natural talent! By 1927, she had won 17 races, making her one of the most successful race car drivers in Europe. She loved the thrill of speed and adventure.
Driving Around the World
On May 25, 1927, Clärenore Stinnes began her epic journey to drive around the world. She was joined by Carl-Axel Söderström, a Swedish filmmaker. They had only met two days before the trip started!
They drove a regular production car, an Adler Standard 6. Two mechanics and a truck full of spare parts and equipment also came along to help. German car companies like Adler, Bosch, and Aral helped pay for the trip, giving 100,000 Reichsmark (German money at the time).
The Long Road Ahead
Their journey took them through many different places. They started by traveling through the Balkans, then to cities like Beirut, Damascus, Baghdad, and Tehran. From there, they went to Moscow, Russia. The two mechanics left the group in Moscow.
Clärenore and Carl-Axel continued their adventure. They traveled across Siberia, which is a very cold region. They even drove across the frozen Lake Baikal! They also crossed the vast Gobi Desert before reaching Peking (now Beijing) in China.
Across Oceans and Continents
From Asia, they took a ferry to Japan, then to Hawaii, and finally to South America. They arrived in Lima, Peru. From there, they drove across the mighty Andes Mountains to reach Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After exploring South America, they drove back north through Central America. Their journey then took them to Vancouver and New York in North America. In Washington, D.C., Clärenore and Carl-Axel were welcomed by the President of the United States, Herbert Hoover.
The Finish Line
Finally, they took a ferry to Le Havre, France. They arrived back in Berlin, Germany, with their car on June 24, 1929. Their incredible trip had lasted for two years and covered about 47,000 kilometers (about 29,200 miles) by car!
Life After the Journey
After their amazing trip, Carl-Axel Söderström got divorced. Soon after, he and Clärenore Stinnes got married. They settled down on a large estate in Sweden.
They had three children of their own and also took in several foster children. In their later years, they spent some time living in a town called Irmenach. Carl-Axel Söderström passed away in 1976 when he was 82 years old. Clärenore Stinnes lived for another 14 years, passing away in 1990.
See also
In Spanish: Clärenore Stinnes para niños
