The end of World War II marked the collapse of the Nazi regime and the downfall of its most infamous leaders. But while Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Goebbels, and others met their fates during or after the war, their children were left to grapple with the weight of their fathers’ legacies. Some chose to live in obscurity, while others sought to distance themselves from the horrors of the past. Here’s a look at what became of the children of Nazi leaders after the war.
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Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler had no biological children, but he was close to his half-niece, Geli Raubal, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1931. Eva Braun, Hitler’s longtime companion, also had no children with him. However, rumors of a secret Hitler lineage have persisted for decades, though none have been substantiated.
Joseph Goebbels
Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, and his wife, Magda, infamously chose to take their own lives along with their six children in the Führerbunker as the war came to an end. The couple poisoned their children—Helga, Hilde, Helmut, Holde, Hedda, and Heide—before committing suicide. Their tragic deaths remain one of the most chilling episodes of the war.
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler, the architect of the Holocaust, had two children: Gudrun and Nanette Dorothea. Gudrun, his daughter, remained fiercely loyal to her father’s memory throughout her life. She became involved in far-right organizations in post-war Germany and never publicly denounced her father’s actions. In contrast, Nanette Dorothea, his adopted daughter, chose to live a quiet life away from the public eye.
Hermann Göring
Hermann Göring, the head of the Luftwaffe, had a daughter named Edda. After the war, Edda lived a relatively private life, though she occasionally spoke out in defense of her father, claiming he was misunderstood. She worked as a medical secretary and avoided the spotlight, passing away in 2018.
Rudolf Hess
Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, had a son named Wolf Rüdiger Hess. Unlike many other children of Nazi leaders, Wolf Rüdiger became an outspoken advocate for his father, who was imprisoned for life after the Nuremberg Trials. He spent years campaigning for his father’s release, even writing books and giving interviews to defend his legacy. Wolf Rüdiger passed away in 2001.