Hermann Göring: Hitler’s Deputy, Luftwaffe Chief, and Convicted War Criminal
Few figures in the Nazi hierarchy held as much power—or commanded as much personal complexity—as Hermann Göring. As the designated successor to Adolf Hitler and commander of the Luftwaffe, Göring was central to the Third Reich’s rise and eventual collapse. His death by suicide on the eve of his execution at Nuremberg remains one of the most dramatic moments of the post-war trials. This article covers his life, his death, his family, and the legacy he left behind.
Born in Rosenheim, Bavaria, on 12 January 1893, Göring was a decorated World War I fighter ace before joining the Nazi Party in the early 1920s. He rose swiftly through the ranks, eventually becoming Reichsmarschall—the only person ever to hold that rank—and playing a key role in the regime’s domestic terror apparatus and military expansion.
His story, however, is not only one of power. It is also a story of addiction, personal tragedy, and a calculated final act of defiance. In the hours before his scheduled hanging, Göring outmanoeuvred his guards and took his own life, cheating the hangman and sealing his place in history as the highest-ranking Nazi to avoid the full sentence of the Nuremberg Tribunal.
How Did Hermann Göring Die?
Hermann Wilhelm Göring
12 January 1893, Rosenheim, Germany
15 October 1946, Nuremberg, Germany (suicide by cyanide)
Reichsmarschall, Luftwaffe Commander, Nazi Party leader, convicted war criminal
Göring was condemned to death by hanging on 1 October 1946 by the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at Nuremberg. He was found guilty on all counts, including crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The court described his guilt as “unique in its enormity” and concluded that he was “truly evil.” For a full account of his rise and fall, see Hermann Goering – Full Biography, Death, and Legacy.
- Göring was Hitler’s designated successor and second-in-command of Nazi Germany.
- He founded the Gestapo and was instrumental in establishing concentration camps.
- Göring was the highest-ranking Nazi to be tried at Nuremberg.
- He avoided execution by committing suicide hours before his scheduled hanging.
- His family, including wife Emmy and daughter Edda, lived largely in obscurity after the war.
- His brother Albert was a notable dissident who saved lives during the Holocaust.
- Göring had previously requested to be shot by a firing squad rather than hanged, but this was denied.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hermann Wilhelm Göring |
| Birth | 12 January 1893, Rosenheim, Bavaria |
| Death | 15 October 1946, Nuremberg (suicide by cyanide) |
| Spouse | Carin von Kantzow (1923–1931), Emmy Sonnemann (1935–1946) |
| Children | Edda Göring (born 1938) |
| Military Rank | Reichsmarschall (the only one in Nazi Germany) |
| Trial | Nuremberg Trials – guilty on all counts |
| Final Words | Reportedly ‘The executioners are coming!’ or ‘I will die for Germany.’ (disputed) |
On the night of 15 October 1946, Göring ingested a cyanide (potassium cyanide) capsule in his cell, dying before the dawn of his scheduled hanging. According to a guard, he bit down on a small glass capsule containing the poison, leaving visible particles of glass on his lips. In 1967, it was revealed that Göring had left a note explaining that the poison capsule had been secreted in a container of pomade (cream) and retrieved hours before the execution by asking a guard for the jar. His request to be shot by a firing squad rather than hanged had been denied by the Allied Control Council, which prompted his final act of deception.
Who Was Hermann Göring’s Family?
Who Was Hermann Göring’s Wife?
Göring was married twice. His first wife, Carin Göring (née Fock), smuggled him out of Germany to Italy after he was wounded and later died of a heart attack in 1931. His second wife was Emmy Sonnemann, a theatre actress, whom he married in 1935. Emmy remained loyal to him throughout the trials and lived quietly after the war.
Did Hermann Göring Have Children?
Yes. Göring had one child, Edda Göring, born in 1938 to Emmy. Edda became a private figure after the war, largely avoiding the public eye. She died in 2018, having never spoken extensively about her father. Göring’s family was not tried at Nuremberg; only he and other high-ranking Nazi officials faced the IMT.
What Happened to Hermann Göring’s Family After the War?
After the war, Emmy Göring was briefly imprisoned and later released. She and Edda lived in obscurity in Germany. Edda never married and worked in a medical office, consistently rejecting interview requests. The family avoided public controversy, though Edda occasionally spoke out against those who vilified her father.
Who Was Albert Göring?
Albert Göring, Hermann’s younger brother, stood in stark moral contrast to the Nazi leader. He opposed the regime and is known to have saved many people—including Jews and political dissidents—from persecution. His humanitarian efforts were largely forgotten until recent years, when historians began to recover his story. Unlike Hermann, Albert was never tried for war crimes and died in 1966.
What Was Hermann Göring’s Role in the Nazi Regime?
The Second Man in the Third Reich
Göring joined the Nazi Party after meeting Adolf Hitler at a rally in the early 1920s and participated in the Munich Beer Hall Putsch in 1923. He was elected President of the Reichstag in 1932 and, after Hitler came to power, was appointed Prussian Minister of the Interior. He founded the Gestapo and played a key role in establishing the system of concentration camps.
Luftwaffe Commander and the War Effort
As head of the German air force (Luftwaffe), Göring was responsible for aerial warfare strategy. His early successes in the Blitzkrieg campaigns gave way to critical failures, notably during the Battle of Britain and the defence of Germany in the later years of the war. By 1945, his influence had waned as Hitler increasingly sidelined him. For more on his family and post-war legacy, see Hermann Goering – Death, Family Legacy and Key Facts.
Göring suffered from a morphine addiction throughout much of his later life, a condition that affected his decision-making and behaviour. He was cured of the addiction during his captivity before the Nuremberg trials, allowing him to testify with clarity—though he continued to display arrogance and denial about his role in the regime’s crimes.
How Did Göring Defend Himself at Nuremberg?
Göring was one of 22 major war criminals tried by the IMT and considered himself the star defendant. He defended himself ably while denying complicity in the regime’s most hideous activities, which he claimed were the secret work of Heinrich Himmler. During the trial, he testified about his 31 July 1941 order authorising Reinhard Heydrich to plan a “solution to the Jewish question in Europe,” which historians consider a key step in initiating the Final Solution and the Holocaust. The Tribunal found his guilt unique in its enormity. At the trial, he displayed no remorse, laughing and appearing arrogant and dismissive while the court viewed footage of the Holocaust.
Göring’s own testimony during the trial provided crucial evidence linking him directly to the planning of the Holocaust. The order he gave to Heydrich on 31 July 1941 is one of the most damning documents presented at Nuremberg, directly tying the second-most powerful man in Germany to genocide.
What Were the Key Events in Hermann Göring’s Life?
- – Born in Rosenheim, Germany.
- – Served as a World War I ace pilot; awarded the Pour le Mérite.
- – Joined the Nazi Party.
- – Elected President of the Reichstag.
- – Appointed Prussian Minister of the Interior; founded the Gestapo.
- – Married Emmy Sonnemann.
- – Daughter Edda born.
- – Appointed Reichsmarschall.
- – Surrendered to Allied forces near Salzburg, Austria, on 7 May.
- – Convicted at Nuremberg; committed suicide on 15 October.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Göring’s Death?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Hermann Göring died by cyanide suicide on 15 October 1946. | Exact wording of his last words is disputed; multiple versions exist. |
| He was convicted of war crimes at Nuremberg. | The precise location of his last photograph is debated among historians. |
| He had one child, Edda Göring, with Emmy Göring. | Some details of his drug addiction (morphine use) are based on anecdotal accounts. |
| His brother Albert Göring opposed the Nazis and saved many lives. | — |
What Was the Broader Significance of Göring’s Role?
Hermann Göring’s role was pivotal in the early consolidation of Nazi power through the Gestapo and economic mobilisation for war. His behaviour during the trial—including a dramatic cross-examination by American prosecutor Robert Jackson—illustrated the tension between Nazi ideology and legal accountability. The post-war fate of his immediate family, especially his daughter Edda, reflects the complex legacy of Nazi descendants in modern Germany. The contrast between Hermann and his brother Albert provides a moral counterpoint often overlooked in standard biographies.
What Did Göring and Historians Say?
“Gun law and military justice – these are the only things we can live by.”
Hermann Göring, speech during the Nazi rise to power (paraphrased).
“I will die for Germany.”
Reported last words; from various historical accounts (uncertain).
“He was the most complex of the Nazi leaders – a man of immense charm and brutality.”
Historian Ian Kershaw (paraphrased).
What Is Hermann Göring’s Lasting Legacy?
Göring’s death marked the end of one of the most powerful and infamous figures of the Third Reich. While his brother Albert represents a humanitarian alternative, Hermann remains a symbol of Nazi ambition, ruthlessness, and ultimate failure. His suicide was a final assertion of control—denying the Allies the symbolic closure of his execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are about Hermann Göring?
Key biographies include ‘Hermann Göring: The Man and His Work’ by Erich Gritzbach (pre-war propaganda), ‘The Last Nazi’ by Gerald Posner, and ‘Göring: A Biography’ by David Irving (controversial). Recent works include ‘The Reich Marshal’ by historian James Holland.
What was Hermann Göring’s voice like?
Recordings exist of his speeches; his voice was deep and commanding, often described as bombastic. Several audio clips are available on YouTube and archival sites.
What was Hermann Göring’s relationship with Goebbels?
They were rivals for power; Goebbels despised Göring’s lifestyle and perceived laziness, while Göring viewed Goebbels as a scheming propagandist. Both were loyal to Hitler but frequently clashed.
What was Hermann Göring’s defense at Nuremberg?
He claimed that as second-in-command he was not directly responsible for the worst atrocities, and argued his actions were necessary for national defence. The tribunal rejected this, finding him guilty on all counts.
What was Hermann Göring’s rank in the Nazi Party?
He held the unique rank of Reichsmarschall, making him the highest-ranking military officer in Nazi Germany. He was also Hitler’s designated successor until 1945.
Did Hermann Göring have any other children?
No. He had only one child, Edda Göring, born 1938 from his marriage to Emmy Sonnemann. There are no records of other legitimate or acknowledged children.
Where is Hermann Göring buried?
Göring’s ashes were scattered by the Allies after his suicide. There is no marked grave. The location was deliberately kept secret to prevent neo-Nazi pilgrimages.
What was the cause of Hermann Göring’s addiction?
Ongoing research into Nazi drug use indicates Göring developed a morphine addiction after an injury. He was treated for it during captivity before the Nuremberg trials.
Related stories
William Ashby is Editor-in-Chief at Edinburgh Wire, overseeing local editorial policy, standards and publication decisions.