Paula Hitler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paula Hitler (Wolff)
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| Born | 21 January 1896 Hafeld in Fischlham, Austria-Hungary
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| Died | 1 June 1960 (aged 64) Schönau, West Germany
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| Resting place | Bergfriedhof in Berchtesgaden/Schönau |
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| Other names | Paula Wolff Paula Hitler-Wolff |
| Known for | Sister of German dictator Adolf Hitler |
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Paula Hitler (born January 21, 1896 – died June 1, 1960) was the younger sister of Adolf Hitler. She was also known as Paula Wolff or Paula Hitler-Wolff. Paula was the last child of Alois Hitler and his wife, Klara Pölzl.
Paula's Early Life
Paula Hitler was born in Hafeld, Fischlham, Austria, on January 21, 1896. Her parents were Alois Hitler and Klara Hitler. She was Adolf Hitler's only full sister. She was also his only full sibling who lived to be an adult.
Paula was six years old when her father passed away. He had been a customs official. When she was eleven, her mother Klara also died. After her mother's death, the Austrian government gave a small pension to Paula and Adolf. Adolf was old enough to support himself. He agreed to give his share of the pension to Paula.
Paula's Adult Life
Paula later moved to Vienna, a big city in Austria. In the early 1920s, she worked as a housekeeper. She cleaned rooms at a place where Jewish university students lived. In 1921, her brother Adolf visited her there. She said he looked like he had "fallen from heaven."
For many years, Paula did not have much contact with her brother. This was during the time he struggled as a painter. He also served in the military during World War I. Later, he became involved in politics. Paula was happy to see him again in Vienna in the early 1930s.
Paula used the last name Hiedler, which was an older spelling of Hitler. She lost her job at an insurance company in 1930. This happened when her employers found out who she was. After that, her brother gave her money each month. She lived using the name Wolff, as her brother asked. "Wolf" was a nickname Adolf had since childhood. He also used it for safety reasons.
Adolf Hitler did not seem to think Paula was very smart. He sometimes called both Paula and their half-sister Angela "stupid goose."
Paula later said she saw her brother about once a year. This was during the 1930s and early 1940s. She worked as a secretary in a military field hospital for much of World War II.
In April 1945, near the end of the war, Paula was 49 years old. Two SS men drove her to Berchtesgaden, Germany. This was where Hitler's summer home, the Berghof, was located. She and her half-sister, Angela, each received a large sum of money. There is some proof that Paula shared her brother's strong German nationalist beliefs. However, she was not active in politics. She never joined the Nazi Party.
Life After the War
American officers arrested Paula on May 26, 1945. They interviewed her on July 12.
She described her childhood with her brother as having both arguments and strong affection. Paula said she found it hard to believe her brother was responsible for terrible events like the Holocaust. She also told the officers that she had met Eva Braun only once. After her interview, Paula was released. She went back to Vienna. She lived on her savings for a while. Then she worked in an arts and crafts shop.
On December 1, 1952, she returned to Berchtesgaden. She lived there full-time under the name "Paula Wolff" or "Paula Hitler-Wolff." This was connected to a claim she made about Hitler's will, which a court had denied. During this time, former members of the SS and people close to her brother helped look after her.
In February 1959, Paula agreed to be interviewed. Peter Morley, a British documentary producer, interviewed her. This was the only filmed interview she ever gave. It was shown as part of a TV program called Tyranny: The Years of Adolf Hitler. She mostly talked about Hitler's childhood. She refused to answer any questions about politics. Parts of this interview were used in a 2005 TV documentary.
Death and Burial
Paula died on June 1, 1960, in Schönau, near Berchtesgaden. She was 64 years old. She was the last surviving member of Hitler's close family. She was buried in the Bergfriedhof cemetery in Berchtesgaden/Schönau. Her grave marker showed the name Paula Hitler. In June 2005, her wooden grave marker and remains were reportedly moved. This is a common practice in German cemeteries after many years. In May 2006, the grave marker was put back. It had a panel covering her name, showing the names of newer burials.
Five months after Paula's death, a court in Berchtesgaden made a decision about Hitler's estate. Paula Hitler was given two-thirds of his estate.
See also
In Spanish: Paula Hitler para niños
- Hitler family
