35 Facts About Paula Hitler

Early Life and Family Background

Paula Hitler, born on January 21, 1896, in Hafeld, Fischlham, Upper Austria, was the youngest child of Alois Hitler and Klara Pölzl. Her early years were marked by family turmoil and loss.

1. Paula's father, Alois Hitler, was a retired customs official who passed away when she was just six years old.
2. Her mother, Klara Pölzl, died when Paula was eleven, leaving her and Adolf as orphans.
3. The Austrian government provided a small pension to both Paula and Adolf after their mother's death.
4. Adolf, who was old enough to support himself, signed his share of the pension over to Paula.

Sibling Dynamics

Paula and Adolf had a complex relationship, shaped by their age difference and Adolf's ambitions.

5. Adolf was seven years older than Paula and never considered her a playmate.
6. He was always involved in his own activities and had many friends, often taking charge in their games.
7. Adolf showed little brotherly affection or sense of duty towards Paula.
8. Despite this, he signed over his share of their orphan's pension to her when he went to Vienna to study art.

Paula's Early Years

Paula's childhood was marked by the absence of her brother, who was often away pursuing his own interests.

9. Paula spent much of her childhood without Adolf, who left home shortly after their mother's death.
10. She re-established contact with her brother in 1921 when he visited her in Vienna.
11. Paula described Adolf's visit as if he had "fallen from heaven," indicating a significant gap in their relationship.

Move to Vienna

In the early 1920s, Paula moved to Vienna, where she worked various jobs to support herself.

12. Paula worked as a housekeeper for several wealthy families and later for a Jewish dormitory.
13. She later made a living doing secretarial work for various businesses in and around Vienna.
14. In 1930, Paula lost her job at an Austrian State Insurance Company due to her brother's notoriety.
15. Adolf provided her with a monthly pension of 250 schillings, which increased to 500 marks a month after the Anschluss.

Assumed Surname

For security reasons, Adolf instructed Paula to change her name.

16. Paula changed her name to Wolff, a surname derived from Adolf's childhood nickname, "Wolf."
17. This change was part of Adolf's efforts to keep his family members out of the spotlight.

Relationship with Adolf

Despite her brother's significant influence and notoriety, Paula maintained a complex relationship with him.

18. Paula adored Adolf but expressed dismay at his actions, particularly during World War II.
19. In a 1946 interview with U.S. Army intelligence officers, she stated that she didn't believe he had ordered the extermination of millions of people.
20. Paula was engaged to Erwin Jekelius, a Third Reich officer, but Adolf forbade the engagement and had Jekelius arrested.

Political Leanings

Little is known about Paula's political views, but her actions suggest a certain neutrality.

21. Paula worked in a Jewish dormitory without displaying any documented distaste for its residents.
22. She never joined the Nazi Party or supported her brother's political actions.

Interviews and Public Statements

Paula's interviews provide insight into her views and relationship with Adolf.

23. In 1959, Paula agreed to an interview with Peter Morley for a British television program.
24. During the interview, she maintained that she thought Adolf was not guilty of the crimes he was accused of.

Post-War Life

After World War II, Paula faced significant challenges due to her familial connection to Adolf.

25. Paula was arrested by U.S. intelligence officers and held for questioning.
26. She explained that she had only seen Adolf once or twice a year for the past decade.
27. After her release, Paula moved back to Vienna and later to Berchtesgaden, Germany.

Supervision and Isolation

Paula's life in Berchtesgaden was marked by close supervision and isolation.

28. Paula was closely supervised by former members of her brother's SS guard and other surviving members of his inner circle.
29. She lived in seclusion, keeping to herself and not attending social gatherings.

Financial Support from Adolf

Despite their distant relationship, Adolf provided Paula with financial support throughout her life.

30. Initially, Paula received 250 schillings a month, which increased to 500 marks after the Anschluss.
31. This financial support helped Paula maintain some semblance of normalcy despite the chaos surrounding her brother's regime.

Life in Berchtesgaden

Paula's later years were spent in Berchtesgaden, where she lived until her death.

32. In 1952, Paula moved to Berchtesgaden, Germany, likely to escape the scrutiny of her life in Vienna.
33. During her time in Berchtesgaden, she was instructed to remain in strict incognito, which she managed to do effectively.

Death and Legacy

Paula Hitler's life ended quietly, but her legacy remains intertwined with her infamous brother.

34. Paula Hitler died on June 1, 1960, at the age of 64.
35. She was buried in the Bergfriedhof (Mountain cemetery) in Berchtesgaden under the name Paula Hitler.

Paula Hitler's Complex Legacy

Paula Hitler's life was a mix of tragedy, seclusion, and historical significance. As Adolf Hitler's younger sister, she lived in the shadow of one of history's most infamous figures. Despite their distant relationship, Adolf provided her with financial support, showing occasional acts of kindness. Paula's life in Vienna and later in Berchtesgaden was marked by isolation and supervision by former SS members. She never married or had children, choosing to live a quiet life away from the public eye. Her interviews and statements after the war reveal a woman struggling to reconcile her feelings towards her brother with the horrors he committed. Paula's legacy offers a unique perspective on the human cost of historical events and the complexities of familial relationships. Her story reminds us of the enduring impact of personal connections on individual lives.