Eva Braun

Eva Anna Paula Braun (February 6, 1912 – April 30, 1945) was the longtime companion (and ultimately, wife for a night and a day) of Adolf Hitler.

Relationship and turmoil

Hitler saw more of Braun after the suicide of Angela's daughter Geli Raubal in 1931 (some historians suggest Raubal killed herself because she was distraught over Hitler's relationship with Braun, while others speculate Hitler killed her, or had her murdered). Hitler was seeing other women such as actress Renate Müller (whose early death was also termed a suicide). Braun attempted suicide in 1932 by shooting herself in the neck. She attempted suicide a second time in 1935 by taking an overdose of sleeping pills.

Related Topics:
Suicide - Geli Raubal - 1931 - Renate Müller - 1932 - 1935 - Overdose - Sleeping pills

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After Braun's recovery Hitler became more committed to her and bought her a villa in Wasserburgerstrasse, a Munich suburb, providing her with a Mercedes and a chauffeur.

Related Topics:
Munich - Suburb - Mercedes

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In 1936 she came to his household at the Berghof near Berchtesgaden. Her political influence on Hitler is unknown and as a result is generally presumed to have been minimal. Some historians have inferred she was aware of at least some sordid details concerning the Third Reich's inner workings. By all accounts she led a sheltered and privileged existence and seemed uninterested in politics. They never appeared as a couple in public and there is some indication that this, along with their not having married early in their relationship, was due to a fear Hitler might lose some of his popularity among female voters. The German people were entirely unaware of Braun and her relationship with Hitler until after the war.

Related Topics:
1936 - Berghof - Berchtesgaden - Third Reich

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Albert Speer described the relationship in his book Inside the Third Reich:

Related Topics:
Albert Speer - Inside the Third Reich

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:Eva Braun was allowed to be present during visits from old party associates. She was banished as soon as other dignitaries of the Reich, such as cabinet ministers, appeared at the table ... Hitler obviously regarded her as socially acceptable only within strict limits. Sometimes I kept her company in her exile, a room next to Hitler's bedroom. She was so intimidated that she did not dare leave the house for a walk. Out of sympathy for her predicament I soon began to feel a liking for this unhappy woman, who was so deeply attached to Hitler.

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