Hermann Göring: Biography, Death, Family Legacy & Key Facts
Hermann Göring was one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany, second only to Adolf Hitler. As commander of the Luftwaffe, founder of the Gestapo, and Hitler’s designated successor for much of the war, his influence was immense. Yet his story ends not with a hangman’s noose but with a cyanide capsule smuggled into his cell at Nuremberg.
His death by suicide on October 15, 1946, hours before his scheduled execution, cemented a legacy of defiance and destruction. This article examines his death, his family, the fate of his relatives after the war, and the most authoritative books on his life — all grounded in verified historical sources.
Hermann Göring’s Death: How Did He Die and What Were His Last Words?
Göring’s death remains one of the most dramatic episodes of the Nuremberg trials. After being convicted on all four counts — conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity — he was sentenced to death by hanging. He pleaded to be shot instead, but the tribunal refused. On the night of October 15, 1946, he swallowed a cyanide capsule and died in his cell.
| Born | January 12, 1893, Rosenheim, Germany |
|---|---|
| Died | October 15, 1946 (suicide by cyanide), Nuremberg, Germany |
| Role | Commander of Luftwaffe, Hitler’s deputy, Nazi Party leader |
| Trial | Condemned at Nuremberg, escaped hanging via suicide |
- Göring cheated the hangman by swallowing a cyanide capsule hours before his scheduled execution.
- His drug addiction was severe and likely affected his leadership of the Luftwaffe during WWII.
- Edda Göring, his daughter, lived a quiet, controversial life in Germany and defended her father’s legacy until her death in 2018.
- Göring’s last words were reportedly addressed to his executioner: “The execution is set for 2 AM. I will not be there.”
- The exact method of smuggling the cyanide into prison remains disputed (theories include a pen holder, lip balm, or a hollow tooth).
- After the war, Göring’s wife Emmy maintained that he had been a devoted husband.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Final rank | Reichsmarschall of the Greater German Reich |
| Prisoner at Nuremberg | Cell 5 (top floor, high security) |
| Cyanide smuggled in | Uncertain (pen holder, lip balm, or hollow tooth) |
| Wife Emmy’s defense | Always maintained Göring was a devoted husband |
| Edda’s career | Worked as a lawyer; never married |
| Most famous quote | “Guns will make us powerful, butter will only make us fat” |
Who Was Hermann Göring’s Wife Emmy and Daughter Edda?
Hermann Göring married his second wife, Emma “Emmy” Sonnemann, in 1935. The wedding was a massive public ceremony, reflecting his status. Together they had one daughter, Edda Göring, born in 1938. Emmy was an actress by profession and remained loyal to her husband after the war, always maintaining that he was a devoted family man.
Emmy Göring was known for her lavish lifestyle and hosted social events with high-ranking Nazis. After the war, she was briefly imprisoned and her assets were confiscated. She lived quietly in Munich until her death in 1973.
Edda Göring: The Daughter’s Life and Legacy
Edda Göring became a lawyer in post-war Germany. She never married and spent much of her life defending her father’s reputation. In interviews, she described him as a kind father and rejected the war-criminal label. She died in 2018. Her steadfast loyalty sparked legal and public controversy in Germany.
What Happened to the Göring Family After World War II?
After the war, Emmy Göring was arrested and held for about a year. Upon release, she lived in a small flat in Munich, supported by friends and remnants of her former wealth. Edda completed her legal studies and worked as a lawyer. The family’s name remained a stigma, and neither Emmy nor Edda sought public attention outside of occasional interviews defending Hermann.
With Edda’s death in 2018, there are no direct descendants of Hermann Göring. His brother Albert Göring, who opposed the Nazis, had no children who survived him. The Göring family line from Hermann is extinct.
What Is the Best Book on Hermann Göring?
Several authoritative biographies cover Göring’s life. Historians often recommend Göring: The Iron Man by Richard Overy for its detailed analysis of his military and political role. For those interested specifically in his drug addiction, Norman Ohler’s Blitzed: Drugs in Nazi Germany is the best source. Another widely cited work is The Reich Marshal: A Biography of Hermann Goering by Leonard Mosley.
When choosing a book on Göring, look for academic authors who cite primary sources. Popular biographies sometimes sensationalize his drug use or last words. Overy and Mosley are considered reliable by the historical community.
Was Göring a Drug Addict? The Role of Drugs in His Leadership
Yes, Göring developed a severe morphine addiction after being wounded in the groin during the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. He was treated with morphine and became dependent on it. The addiction persisted for years; he entered two treatment centers but relapsed. While awaiting trial at Nuremberg, he successfully broke the habit. Norman Ohler’s research indicates that his drug use may have impaired his judgment, particularly during the Battle of Britain, though this remains a debated point among historians.
Key Dates in the Life of Hermann Göring
- — Born in Rosenheim, Bavaria
- — Served in WWI; awarded Pour le Mérite with 22 air victories
- — Joined the Nazi Party, became SA commander
- — Appointed Prussian Minister President; establishes Gestapo
- — Married Emmy Sonnemann
- — Appointed Plenipotentiary of the Four Year Plan
- — Birth of daughter Edda
- — Luftwaffe fails in Battle of Britain; beginning of fall from grace
- — Hitler denounces Göring for attempting to negotiate
- — Surrenders to US forces in Austria
- — Convicted at Nuremberg on all four counts
- — Commits suicide by cyanide hours before execution
What Is Certain and What Remains Uncertain About Göring’s Death and Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Göring died by suicide using a cyanide capsule on October 15, 1946. | The exact method of smuggling the cyanide into prison is disputed (pen, tooth, lip balm are theories). |
| He was convicted at the Nuremberg trials and sentenced to death by hanging. | Whether his drug use fully impaired his WWII command decisions is debated by historians. |
| He was married to Emmy Sonnemann; they had one daughter, Edda. | His “last words” vary by witness accounts; the reported sentence to the executioner may be apocryphal. |
| He was a morphine addict, prescribed after a wound from 1923. | His net worth and hidden assets after the war remain a subject of speculation. |
Hermann Göring in Historical Context: Architect of the Nazi State
Göring was instrumental in creating the Gestapo. Without him, Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich might not have risen as quickly. He also played a key role in the so-called Final Solution, having first suggested the extermination of Jews, according to some accounts. His drug addiction and lavish lifestyle contrasted sharply with the ascetic public image cultivated by other Nazi leaders. Edda Göring’s lifelong loyalty to her father’s memory sparked legal and public controversy in post-war Germany.
Key Sources and Quotes on Hermann Göring
“Guns will make us powerful, butter will only make us fat.”
— Hermann Göring, speech in Hamburg, 1936
“The execution is set for 2 AM. I will not be there.”
— Reported last words of Hermann Göring to his executioner, October 15, 1946
For authoritative information, the USHMM timeline provides key dates. The Britannica entry offers a concise biography. History Extra published a feature article examining his life and death. PBS American Experience has a short biography. The Wikipedia page is a good starting point for general facts. For details on his drug addiction, Norman Ohler’s book is cited in the biography.com article.
Summary: The Enduring Legacy of Hermann Göring
Hermann Göring remains one of the most studied Nazi figures because of his combination of power, decadence, and dramatic downfall. His suicide denied the Allies the final act of justice by execution, while his family — Emmy and Edda — largely faded from public view. The historical debate continues over the extent to which his drug addiction influenced Nazi military decisions and whether any of his actions during the war could be seen as attempts to avert conflict. For now, the archival record provides a solid but incomplete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hermann Göring
What was Hermann Göring’s role in the Nazi Party?
Göring was Hitler’s official deputy, commander of the Luftwaffe, and overseer of the Four Year Plan. He was second-in-command until April 1945.
How did Hermann Göring avoid execution?
He committed suicide by swallowing a hidden cyanide capsule hours before his scheduled hanging on October 16, 1946.
Was Hermann Göring a drug addict?
Yes, he was deeply addicted to paracodeine and morphine, a dependency that began after an injury during the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch.
What happened to the Göring family after World War II?
Emmy Göring was imprisoned briefly and then lived quietly; Edda became a lawyer, never married, and remained loyal to her father’s memory until her death in 2018.
What were Hermann Göring’s last words?
According to some accounts, he told his executioner: “The execution is set for 2 AM. I will not be there.” The exact wording varies by witness.
How did Göring get the cyanide into prison?
The method is uncertain. Theories include a pen holder, a lip balm container, or a hollow tooth. No definitive evidence has been found.
Did Göring have any children?
He had one daughter, Edda Göring, born in 1938. She never married and had no children. The direct line ended with her death in 2018.
What is the most reliable biography of Hermann Göring?
Richard Overy’s Göring: The Iron Man is widely regarded as the most reliable academic biography. Leonard Mosley’s The Reich Marshal is also well-regarded.
Did Göring try to avert war?
Some accounts claim he initially tried to avoid war with Britain, but he later turned aggressively against them. This remains a debated point among historians.
Where is Hermann Göring buried?
After his suicide, his body was cremated in a secret location and the ashes were scattered. The exact site remains unknown to prevent neo-Nazi pilgrimages.
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