#House of Puttkamer

[germanaustriannoblesandroyals]

Minor Nobles: Johanna of Puttkamer

Johanna was born to Heinrich of Puttkamer and his wife Luitgarde Agnese of Glasenapp.The Puttkamer is an ancient noble family from Farther Pomerania and known for their Pietism.

Johanna met her future husband in 1844 when she was 20. Otto of Bismarck had actually been interested in Marie of Thadden-Trieglaff. While she appreciated him she was already engaged to his school friend Moritz of Blanckenburg. Marie introduced him to her friend Johanna at her wedding. Two years later, still unmarried, Johanna and Otto undertook a trip to the Harz mountains together. The same year Marie died suddenly of meningities which might have motivated Otto to finally ask Johanna’s father for her hand.

Johanna and Otto married on July 28th, 1847. Within the next 5 years, three children followed: Marie, Herbert and Wilhelm. Otto was fond of his wife and she had quite the influence on him and his politics as can be seen in their extensive correspondences. But he nevertheless cheated on her with other women. Johanna is described a deeply pious and modest person who was always loyal to her husband and had his back.

When Johanna died on November 27th, 1894, her husband ordered her to be buried at their favourite place in Varzin where they had spent many summers and winters. Later, her remains were moved to the Bismarck Mausoleum in Friedrichsruh where she now rests besides her husband. Johannaplatz in Berlin’s Grunewald district is named after her.

// Bibiana Beglau in Vom Reich zur Republik - Episodes 1 & 2