Alois Hitler was born on July 6, 1837, in the small Austrian village of Strones. He was raised in a strict Catholic household and showed an early aptitude for hard work. As a young man, he apprenticed as a cobbler in Vienna, where he honed his skills in the trade. However, his ambitions soon led him to pursue a career in the civil service.
Alois Hitler began his career as a customs official in the Austrian government in the early 1860s. Over the years, he was transferred to various locations across Austria, which required him to uproot his family and move multiple times. Despite the challenges of constantly relocating, Hitler excelled in his profession and quickly rose through the ranks within the customs service.
Alois Hitler was known for his tumultuous personal life, having been married three times. His first two marriages, to Anna Glasl-Horer and Franziska Matzelsberger, ended in divorce. It wasn't until his third marriage to Klara Polzl that Alois found stability in his personal life. Together, the couple had six children, including Adolf Hitler, who was born in 1889.
Although Alois Hitler's relationship with his son Adolf was complicated, he played a significant role in shaping the future dictator's ideology and worldview. Adolf, who was a sickly child, often looked to his father for guidance and approval. However, Alois's strict parenting style and authoritarian demeanor may have contributed to Adolf's own authoritarian tendencies as an adult.
In 2012, Alois Hitler's gravestone in Leonding was removed by a descendant, reflecting the controversial legacy he left behind. Despite the notoriety of his son Adolf, Alois Hitler's own contributions to history should not be overlooked. His career as a customs official, marked by frequent relocations and professional success, stands as a testament to his ambition and dedication to his work.
Alois Hitler's life serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the impact that parental influence can have on the course of history. Though he may be best known as the father of Adolf Hitler, Alois's own story is one worth remembering and studying.