World War 2 Question No. 7: Who was Hitler's true love?
Answer. It is difficult to speak of "Hitler" and "love" in the same sentence considering that he was responsible via World War 2 for the death of about 50,000,000 people. But Hitler had his shares of loves as most folks do.
His overall dealings with women is a little strange. As he rose to power, many women (including American and British women) throw themselves at his feet. Hitler appeared immune to these beauties. In most instances, he seemed to prefer plain German women, e.g., Eva Braun, to the many nordic beauties that were available to him.
But Geli Raubal was different. She was good looking and had a vivacious personality. Hitler fell in love with her and was quoted as saying Geli was the only girl he would have ever married (although he did marry Eva Braun on the last day of his life).
Geli was Hitler's niece by his half-sister, Angela, who served as his housekeeper. Hitler and Geli became virtually inseparable and Hitler, at first, took her everywhere with him. But Hitler's demands for total control of every aspect of Geli's life took a toll on the relationship. Also, jealousy problems arose. According to rumors circulated, Hitler was supposed to marry Winifred Wagner. This, apparently, was an unfounded rumor. On the other side of the coin, Geli's alleged affair with Emile Maurice, Hitler's body guard, did not help matters.
Geli began to revolt and threatened to leave for Vienna. Hitler ordered her not to go and he then left on Septermber 17, 1931 for a political meeting in Hamburg. On September 18, Geli was found shot to death in her apartment. It was an apparent suicide but this supposition has never been proven for sure. There are many other theories about her death. One theory is that Hitler killed Geli in a fit of rage. Another is that Himmler had her killed because the affair was damaging the Nazi Party. The bulk of evidence supports the suicide theory.
Some in Germany talked too much about the Hitler - Geli relationship and Geli's death. They lived (died?) to regret it. Father Bernard Stempfle, who helped Hitler edit Mein Kampf, talked too much about the Hitler - Geli relationship and was found dead with three bullets through the heart.
The cause of Geli Raubal's death is just another of the many mysteries that surround women that were close to Hitler. Most either committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide (or both!). Even the ever-loyal Eva Braun attempted suicide early in their relationship and finally actually commited suicide on the last day of their two lives. Magda Goebbles was very close to Hitler and she chose suicide (the day after Hitler's death) rather than live in a world without Hitler.
Hitler was strange but his women were almost as strange as he!
