Why Beethoven had no family of his own

Beethoven never founded his own family, but always had people around him who were very close to him. His grandfather died when Beethoven was three years old. He was a good singer and bandmaster - a role model for Ludwig. Unlike his father.

A series of strokes of fate turned Beethoven's father Johann into a broken man. After his wife Maria Magdalena died in 1787 and shortly after their only daughter, the father died of alcohol. At 19 Ludwig had to look after the family alone.

Beethoven found refuge from the difficult circumstances - and a substitute family - with the Breuning family. Court Councillor Helene von Breuning engaged Beethoven as piano teacher for her children. She became a motherly confidante for him.

Eleonore von Breuning became Beethoven's most long-standing confidante. For them he composed two easy piano pieces, the Allegro and Adagio, WoO 51.

Beethoven writes several love letters, but he has not sent them. Who, nobody knows. After his death, two small portraits of unknown women were found in his desk. This one could depict Countess Anna Maria Erdödy, with whom Beethoven even lived together for a short time - the "immortal lover"?

For a long time Beethoven also raved about his piano student Josephine Deym: "A thousand voices whisper to me that they are my only friend, my only lover. But Josephine only replied, "I love you inexpressibly - as one pious spirit loves another."

Beethoven never married. Nor has he ever lived with a woman longer. This portrait found in Beethoven's desk could be of his piano student Julie Guicciardi. He dedicated his famous "Moonlight Sonata" to her.