Irene Schönbein: First wife of Dr. Mengele

[Helge]

IRENE SCHÖNBEIN

[Helge]

IRENE SCHÖNBEIN

[edelweiss]

what happend to her?

[J. Duncan]

She and Mengele were divorced in either the late 1940's or early 1950's. What's amazing is that Mengele actually visited Germany to settle his affairs and spent some time with his son. Mengele later married a woman named Heinz. She had a son Karl who Mengele knew more than his own son, Rolf, who became a 1960's "hippie" and lawyer. I'm not certain, but I think he and his second wife divorced too, because in the end, Mengele was living with a local woman in Sao Paulo shortly before he died. Mengele also played 'grandpa" to the children of the Bossert family with whom he lived. The man most responsible for safe-guarding Mengele during all those years of exile was Wolfgang Gerard, a former Hitler Youth, whose very identity Mengele would later acquire. He also received financial help from his very wealthy family, whose "Mengele and Sons" manufactured tractors and farm equipment. He was also well aided by his lawyer in Germany.

When father and son met again the 1970's, they had little to say to one another.

I'm working on memory here from what I read years ago in Gerald Posner's biography so I could be wrong on the details.

If you want to know about Mengele, the Posner book is a great place to start.

[edelweiss]

thanks, its the first time i hear that

[Helge]

Thanks Duncan. Your memory is perfect!
Helge

MARTHA MENGELE.SHE WAS KARL'S WIFE, WHOSE BROTHER WAS JOSEF, WHEN KARL DIED,MARTHA AND JOSEF GOT MARRIED, THEIR MARRIAGE WAS AN INTEREST ACCORDED BY THE FAMILY TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES.
LATER,MARTHA WOULD DIVORCE,DUE TO THE WILD LIFESTYLE JOSEF HAD,DUE TO HIS LIFE AS FUGITIVE.

[Helge]

MARTHA WITH HIS SON KARL TO HIS RIGHT SID AND ROLF TO HIS LEFT IN 1956

[Helge]

ELSA DE OLIVIERA,WAS LIVING WITH MENGELE AND THE STAHMERS. HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, BUT SHE REJECTED HIM,AND THIS HAD A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON JOSEF, WHO FELT UPSET AND DEPRESSED.

[bohemian_scientist]

Martha didn't divorce him, she just went back to Germany.