Dr. Eduard Bloch was an Austrian physician of Jewish descent who gained prominence for his association with the family of Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany. Born on January 30, 1872, in Vienna, Bloch would become an important figure in Hitler’s life during his early years in the Austrian capital. Despite the deep-rooted anti-Semitism prevalent in Nazi ideology, Hitler maintained a friendly and respectful relationship with Bloch, even after he rose to power.
Eduard Bloch’s association with the Hitler family began in the late 19th century when he became the family doctor of Hitler’s parents, Klara and Alois Hitler. Bloch was highly regarded for his medical expertise and professionalism, and the Hitlers trusted him with their healthcare needs. Over time, Bloch developed a close relationship with the family, especially with young Adolf Hitler.
As a physician, Bloch provided medical care to the Hitler family and treated young Adolf for various illnesses and conditions. He attended to the young Hitler’s respiratory problems, stomach ailments, and even administered vaccinations. Bloch’s competence and compassionate care left a lasting impression on Hitler, who considered him a friend and expressed gratitude for his services. Hitler once described Bloch as “the only decent Jew I have ever met.”
When Adolf Hitler’s mother, Klara, fell ill with breast cancer in 1907, it was Dr. Bloch who diagnosed her condition. Despite his best efforts, Klara Hitler’s health continued to decline, and she passed away later that year. Adolf Hitler deeply mourned his mother’s death, and it is believed that he held Dr. Bloch in high regard for his efforts to alleviate her suffering.
In 1908, Bloch and his family moved to Linz, and his connection with Hitler became more distant. However, the doctor’s positive impact on Hitler was significant enough that when Hitler rose to power as the leader of Nazi Germany, he made an exception for Bloch and his family. Hitler issued a special order protecting Bloch and his relatives from the anti-Semitic policies and actions inflicted upon the Jewish population.
Despite the protection granted by Hitler, Bloch realized the dire situation for Jewish people in Nazi Germany and chose to leave the country in 1938, shortly after the annexation of Austria. He emigrated to the United States with his wife and two children, settling in the Bronx, New York City. In his new home, Bloch started anew, working as a physician and becoming a naturalized American citizen.
The impact of Dr. Eduard Bloch’s relationship with Adolf Hitler would shape his life in unexpected ways. While Bloch managed to escape the horrors of the Holocaust, many of his relatives were not as fortunate and perished under the Nazi regime. His ties to Hitler’s early life continued to haunt him, as survivors and historians sought information and insights from someone who had known Hitler personally.
After World War II, Dr. Bloch was interviewed by several historians and biographers who sought his perspective on Hitler’s formative years. His accounts provided valuable insights into Hitler’s character and relationships during his time in Vienna. Bloch’s recollections, combined with other historical records, helped shed light on the early influences that shaped Hitler’s later actions and ideology.
Dr. Eduard Bloch spent his final years in the United States, away from the turmoil of Europe. He passed away on June 1, 1945, in the Bronx, New York, leaving behind a complex legacy as a physician who treated Adolf Hitler and as a Jewish refugee who escaped the horrors of Nazi Germany. His story serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the unpredictable nature of history.