Adolf Hitler is one of the most infamous historical figures in modern history. As the leader of Nazi Germany, he was responsible for the deaths of millions of people during World War II. But what about his family life? Did Hitler have any brothers and sisters?
Hitler's Early Life
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau am Inn, a small town on the border of Austria and Germany. He was the fourth of six children born to Alois Hitler and his third wife, Klara Pölzl. Of his siblings, only one, a younger sister named Paula, survived past childhood.
Hitler's Siblings
Hitler had three older siblings: Gustav, Ida, and Otto. Gustav was born in 1885 and died just six days after his birth. Ida was born in 1886 and died of diphtheria in 1888, when Hitler was just three years old. Otto was born in 1887 and died in 1887, just a few days after he was born.
Hitler's younger siblings were Edmund and Paula. Edmund was born in 1894 and died in 1900, at the age of six, from measles. Paula was born in 1896 and outlived her brother Adolf, dying in 1960 at the age of 64. She was the only one of Hitler's siblings to have children, but she never married.
Hitler's Relationship with His Family
Hitler had a complicated relationship with his family. His father, Alois, was a strict and abusive man who often beat his children. Hitler was close to his mother, Klara, who doted on him and supported his dreams of becoming an artist.
After his mother's death in 1907, Hitler became estranged from his family. He blamed his father for her death, as Alois had refused to allow her to seek medical treatment for her breast cancer. Hitler's relationship with his sister, Paula, was the only one that remained close throughout his life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Adolf Hitler had five siblings, but only one, Paula, survived past childhood. Hitler had a complex relationship with his family, and after his mother's death, he became estranged from his father and siblings. While Hitler's family life may not have directly influenced his actions as a leader, it is clear that his upbringing and relationships with his family members had an impact on his personality and worldview.