History of Paula Hitler in Timeline

Paula Hitler (later Wolff), was the younger sister of Adolf Hitler and the last surviving member of the Hitler family. She worked as a secretary and lived under the assumed name of Wolff after World War II to avoid recognition. Unlike her brother, there's no evidence suggesting she supported Nazi ideology; she even claimed to have met Jewish people who treated her well. She died in 1960 and was buried under her real name, reflecting a life lived in the shadow of her infamous brother, yet seemingly detached from his political actions.

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Full Timeline

1921: Visited by Adolf Hitler

In 1921, Paula Hitler, working as a housekeeper at a dormitory for Jewish university students in Vienna, was visited by her brother Adolf Hitler, who appeared as if he had "fallen from heaven".

August 1930: Loss of Job and Financial Support

In August 1930, Paula Hitler lost her job with the Austrian State Insurance Company after her employers discovered her identity. Subsequently, she received financial support of 250 schillings a month from her brother Adolf Hitler and lived under the assumed surname of "Wolff".

April 1945: Relocation to Berchtesgaden

In April 1945, during the final days of World War II, Paula Hitler was driven by two SS men to Berchtesgaden, Germany, upon the orders of Martin Bormann. She and her half-sister, Angela, were each given 100,000 marks on Hitler's orders.

May 1945: Arrest and Interview

In May 1945, Paula Hitler was arrested by US counter-intelligence officers. She was later interviewed on July 12.

December 1952: Return to Berchtesgaden

In December 1952, Paula Hitler returned to Berchtesgaden and resided there under the name "Paula Wolff" or "Paula Hitler-Wolff" in connection with a denied claim under Adolf Hitler's will. She was looked after by former members of the SS and survivors of her brother's inner circle during this time.

February 1959: Filmed Interview

In February 1959, Paula Hitler agreed to be interviewed by Peter Morley, a British documentary producer, for an ITV channel. The interview was broadcast as part of a programme called Tyranny: The Years of Adolf Hitler, where she discussed her childhood and avoided political questions.

June 1960: Death and Burial

In June 1960, Paula Hitler died in Schönau near Berchtesgaden. She was buried in the Bergfriedhof in Berchtesgaden/Schönau under the name Paula Hitler.

June 2005: Removal of Grave Marker

In June 2005, it was reported that the wooden grave marker and remains of Paula Hitler were removed from her grave at the Bergfriedhof in Berchtesgaden/Schönau when another burial took place at the same spot.

2005: Appearance in Documentary

In 2005, Footage from Paula Hitler's 1959 interview was included in the television documentary The Hitler Family (Familie Hitler: Im Schatten des Diktators), directed by Oliver Halmburger and Thomas Staehler.

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May 2006: Return of Grave Marker

In May 2006, Paula Hitler's grave marker was returned to her grave with a hinged panel, covering her name, that displays the names of the more recent burials.