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History Robert Bosch

Through highs and lows

The man — husband and father

Robert and Margarete Bosch with their son Robert, (1931).

Life was not always easy. In his private life, Robert Bosch had to come to terms with several strokes of fate. Two of his children died at an early age, and his first marriage failed. Nonetheless, he found renewed happiness with a new family, and had a long and fulfilled life.

 

1887

 

“… You must be mine”

Left: Anna Bosch, née Kayser (1864–1949), (1886). Right: The children Paula, Margarete, and Robert (b.1891), (c. 1900). © Familie Zundel, Salzburg
Left: Anna Bosch, née Kayser (1864–1949), (1886). Right: The children Paula, Margarete, and Robert (b.1891), (c. 1900). © Familie Zundel, Salzburg

Robert Bosch wrote long letters to his future wife, Anna Kayser, from the U.S. and England, declaring: “Whatever happens, you must be mine.” Besides elaborating his outlook on life, he conceded: “One of my main failings is that I become angry easily ...” This character trait did not deter Anna from marrying Robert on October 10, 1887, in Obertürkheim near Stuttgart.

Their daughters Margarete and Paula were born in 1888 and 1889. Their son Robert, their third child, was born in 1891. Erna Elisabeth, the third daughter, was born in 1893 but died just a year later.

 

1910

 

Family life

The company enjoyed increasing success. Yet Robert Bosch still made time for weekend excursions and vacations in the countryside with his family: “He explained many things to us children and gave us an enormous amount of intellectual stimulation, particularly during our childhood years,” his daughter Margarete recalls. The increasing level of wealth also had an effect on the family’s domestic life. In 1910-11, Robert Bosch had a villa constructed in Stuttgart’s Heidehofstrasse.

Left: The Bosch villa on Stuttgart’s Heidehofstrasse, set in extensive grounds. Right: The renowned German architect Bruno Paul designed the dining room of the Bosch villa in the 1920s.
Left: The Bosch villa on Stuttgart’s Heidehofstrasse, set in extensive grounds. Right: The renowned German architect Bruno Paul designed the dining room of the Bosch villa in the 1920s.
The grounds of the Bosch villa (1950). © Wirtschaftsarchiv Hohenheim
The grounds of the Bosch villa (1950). © Wirtschaftsarchiv Hohenheim
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Fate strikes

Anna Bosch with her son Robert (d. 1921) (1913). © Familie Zundel, Salzburg
Anna Bosch with her son Robert (d. 1921) (1913). © Familie Zundel, Salzburg

Robert Bosch introduced his son to the business early on. He let him help with inventory-taking at the age of eleven. Young Robert took up a post as an apprentice in his father’s company in 1909. However, he had to abandon all professional ambitions after just one year. He developed multiple sclerosis and died on April 6, 1921, after a long illness.

 

1927

 

The second family

Their grief and different ways of dealing with the death of their son drove the couple further and further apart until the marriage was dissolved in 1927. Robert Bosch married the 39-year-old Margarete Wörz the same year. They also had two children together — their son Robert in 1928 and daughter Eva in 1931.

Robert and Margarete Bosch with their son Robert, (1931).
Robert and Margarete Bosch with their son Robert, (1931).
Left: Margarete Wörz (1888–1979) (c. 1931) © Robert Bosch Stiftung. Right: Robert and Eva Bosch take to the track at the Stuttgart riding arena (1937).
Left: Margarete Wörz (1888–1979) (c. 1931) © Robert Bosch Stiftung. Right: Robert and Eva Bosch take to the track at the Stuttgart riding arena (1937).
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After the National Socialists came to power, Robert Bosch became increasingly withdrawn, spending time with his family at the Bosch Farm, in the mountains, or skiing.

Robert and Margarete Bosch skiing with their son Robert (1935).
Robert and Margarete Bosch skiing with their son Robert (1935).
Left: The front of the manor house on the Bosch Farm in Mooseurach (1930). Right: Robert Bosch with his children in the mountains (c. 1940).
Left: The front of the manor house on the Bosch Farm in Mooseurach (1930). Right: Robert Bosch with his children in the mountains (c. 1940).
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1935

 

The last years

In many respects, Margarete was Robert Bosch’s assistant and advisor, as well as an intermediary between the older and younger generations. She invited guests to their home and ensured that, in his later years, her husband did not despair at the political situation.

Group photo in the spa gardens in Baden-Baden, showing Robert and Margarete Bosch (second and third from left) (1935).
Group photo in the spa gardens in Baden-Baden, showing Robert and Margarete Bosch (second and third from left) (1935).
Robert and Margarete Bosch opening presents on his 80th birthday (1941).
Robert and Margarete Bosch opening presents on his 80th birthday (1941).
Robert and Margarete Bosch talking to Karl Zehender in the grounds of the Bosch villa (1941).
Robert and Margarete Bosch talking to Karl Zehender in the grounds of the Bosch villa (1941).
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The funeral

Funeral procession for the burial of Robert Bosch’s urn at the Waldfriedhof cemetery (1942).
Funeral procession for the burial of Robert Bosch’s urn at the Waldfriedhof cemetery (1942).

Robert Bosch died on March 12, 1942. Even in death, the National Socialist regime refused to leave him in peace, and he was given a state funeral on March 18.

Supplement

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Supplement 1: Robert Bosch — His life and works