Will of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

The German leader composed his will on 29 April 1945, one day before he killed himself, and nine days before the Second World War ended on 8 May 1945. He decided on both actions - making his will and ending his life - when he could no longer deny the obvious: Berlin was besieged, and Russian troops would soon overrun his bunker.

Hitler observed the formalities: he affixed his seal to the document, and he organised three witnesses.

One witness was Martin Bormann, who was also his executor. Hitler cites Bormann by name without mentioning his title. In contrast, he mentions his wife in the very first sentence of the will and elsewhere but, in each instance, he refers to her only as his wife. He never cites Eva Braun by name. He does identify another woman by name - his secretary.

In addition to his 300-word personal will, Hitler dictated a 1,350-word political testament that pretty much repeated the rants and ravings of Mein Kampf and his speeches.

Historians hope that the will of one of Hitler's closest associates will shed light on precisely what Hitler knew and thought, and when he knew and thought it.

Fritz Darges (1913-2009) was an SS officer and member of Hitler's inner circle who attended crucial meetings and kept a diary. He refused to publish it during his lifetime, but his will authorises publication after his death. Darges adored Hitler not only to the bitter end of the war but throughout his long life. His on-the-spot memoirs may shed interesting new light on Hitler.

My Private Will and Testament

As I did not consider that I could take responsibility, during the years of struggle, of contracting a marriage, I have now decided, before the closing of my earthly career, to take as my wife that girl who, after many years of faithful friendship, entered, of her own free will, the practically besieged town in order to share her destiny with me. At her own desire she goes as my wife with me into death. It will compensate us for what we both lost through my work in the service of my people.

What I possess belongs — in so far as it has any value — to the Party. Should this no longer exist, to the State, should the State also be destroyed, no further decision of mine is necessary.

My pictures, in the collections which I have bought in the course of years, have never been collected for private purposes, but only for the extension of a gallery in my home town of Linz a.d. Donau.

It is my most sincere wish that this bequest may be duly executed.

I nominate as my Executor my most faithful Party comrade, Martin Bormann.

He is given full legal authority to make all decisions. He is permitted to take out everything that has a sentimental value or is necessary for the maintenance of a modest simple life, for my brothers and sisters, also above all for the mother of my wife and my faithful coworkers who are well known to him, principally my old Secretaries Frau Winter etc. Who have for many years aided me by their work.

I myself and my wife — in order to escape the disgrace of deposition or capitulation — choose death. It is our wish to be burnt immediately on the spot where I have carried out the greatest part of my daily work in the course of a twelve years' service to my people.

Given in Berlin, 29th. April 1945, 4:00 O'clock.
A. Hitler

As Witnesses:
Martin Bormann
Dr. Fuhr

As Witness:
Nicolaus von Below.

" . . . "

I've been told that an English statesman left a will in which he reminded his compatriots of the following sacred truth: that the only danger to England was Germany!

Adolf Hitler, Hitler's Table Talk (The subtitle of Hitler's Table Talk is "Hitler's conversations recorded by Martin Bormann." Hitler made this reference to an English statesman's will in February 1942.)

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Will of Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

My Private Will and Testament

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