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— CH. 1 · MUNICH BIRTH AND FAMILY STRUGGLES —

Maja Einstein

~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections
  • Maria Einstein entered the world on the 18th of November 1881 in Munich. Her parents were Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch. The family faced severe financial difficulties due to mismanagement early in their lives. They moved from Germany to Italy to escape these economic pressures. Maja attended a German-speaking International School in Milan between 1887 and 1894. This period marked her first years outside her birthplace while her brother Albert grew up nearby.

  • She pursued higher education across Berlin, Bern, and Paris during the late nineteenth century. Maja studied Romance languages and literature with great dedication at these institutions. She earned her doctorate from the University of Bern in 1909. Her dissertation focused on medieval French texts titled Feststellung des Handschriftenverhältnises des Chevalier au Cygne und Enfances Godefroy. Before this academic achievement she had worked as a teacher in Aarau from 1899 to 1902. After her father died she obtained her teaching patent in 1905.

  • Maja married Paul Winteler on the 23rd of March 1910 after meeting him in Aarau. Their union resulted in the loss of her professional work permit immediately following the ceremony. The couple relocated to Lucerne-Bramberg before moving to Italy later in life. They purchased an estate near Florence in Colonnata after her mother passed away in 1920. Financial troubles persisted despite efforts to manage their property successfully. Albert Einstein provided 7,000 Reichsmarks in 1924 to help clear debts burdening the family home.

  • Anti-Semitic laws introduced by Benito Mussolini forced Maja to leave Italy in February 1939. She traveled to the United States to live with her brother Albert on Mercer Street in Princeton. Her husband Paul could not enter America due to health reasons and remained in Geneva. He stayed with relatives while Maja lived alone across the Atlantic Ocean. She planned to return to Europe once World War II ended but circumstances changed drastically. This separation marked a turning point in her personal history and daily existence.

  • A stroke struck Maja Einstein in 1946 while she resided in Princeton. Arteriosclerosis developed subsequently and left her bedridden for the remainder of her life. These conditions prevented any possibility of returning to her former home in Italy. She maintained written correspondence with Paul until her death occurred on the 25th of June 1951. Pneumonia claimed her life following a fracture of her upper arm. Paul Winteler died one month later in Geneva on the 15th of July 1952.

Common questions

When was Maria Einstein born and where did she enter the world?

Maria Einstein entered the world on the 18th of November 1881 in Munich. Her parents were Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch.

What degree did Maja Einstein earn from the University of Bern in 1909?

Maja earned her doctorate from the University of Bern in 1909. Her dissertation focused on medieval French texts titled Feststellung des Handschriftenverhältnises des Chevalier au Cygne und Enfances Godefroy.

Who did Maja Einstein marry on the 23rd of March 1910 after meeting him in Aarau?

Maja married Paul Winteler on the 23rd of March 1910 after meeting him in Aarau. Their union resulted in the loss of her professional work permit immediately following the ceremony.

Why did Maja Einstein leave Italy in February 1939 to travel to the United States?

Anti-Semitic laws introduced by Benito Mussolini forced Maja to leave Italy in February 1939. She traveled to the United States to live with her brother Albert on Mercer Street in Princeton.

How did Maja Einstein die on the 25th of June 1951 while residing in Princeton?

Pneumonia claimed her life following a fracture of her upper arm. Arteriosclerosis had developed subsequently and left her bedridden for the remainder of her life after a stroke struck her in 1946.