HEDWIG VON TRAPPHedwig von Trapp, who died aged 55 on 14 September 1972, was one of the family von Trapp singers whose story was made famous in the musical, and then the film, The Sound of Music.The stage and film versions were loosely based on a book of memoirs published by Hedwig's stepmother Maria von Trapp. Forthe film Hedwig's character was renamed Brigita.Hedwig was born in Zell am See, Austria on 28 July 1917,the fifth child born to Baron Georg von Trapp and his wife Agathe.When she was five-years-old her mother died of scarlet fever and her father - a much decorated World War One naval commander - was left to bring up seven children alone.The family moved to a new home and their father brought in a young novice, Maria Augusta Kutschera,from a nearby convent to nurse one of Hedwig's sisters - also called Maria - after a serious illness.In 1927, Hedwig's father and the young novice were married.After the family lost much of their wealth in the 1930s depression they turned their hobby of singing into a career under the driving force of stepmother Maria.The children were all very musical as well as artistic. Hedwig enjoyed decorating trays and other items with wood burnt designs and took many photographs.To escape the Nazi regime which they abhorred, the family went to America in 1938 and pursued their increasingly successful musical career. Hedwig sang alto.Hedwig became a naturalised American citizen in 1948.After the family singers disbanded in the 1950s, Hedwig pursued a career in teaching.She died in 1972, apparently from an asthma attack, while visiting relatives in Austria and is buried in the von Trapp family cemetery at the Lodge in Vermont that they bought in the 1940s.Her sister Martina died before her in 1951, but she was survived by her brothers Rupert and Werner and sisters Agathe, Johanna and Maria. She was also survived by herthree step-siblings from her father's second marriage:Rosmarie and Eleonore and Johannes.
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