Elly Beinhorn
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Elly Beinhorn (born May 30, 1907) was a German pilot.
She was born in Hanover, German Empire. She was looking for adventure and found it when friends took her to a lecture by a German pilot who had recently flown across the Atlantic Ocean. She knew flying was for her.
At just 21 years old she had a little money from an inheritance and against the wishes of her parents moved to Spandau in Berlin and learnt to fly at a local flying school. She had learnt to fly solo about the time her money was running out and it was suggested she give aerobatic displays.
Long distance flying was her real passion and landing in Sydney, Australia on 24 March, 1931 she became only the second woman to fly from Europe to Australia flying a Klemm plane.
Back in Europe, famous but hugely in debt she was surprised to be awarded the Hindenburg Cup and 10,000 marks and several other monetary awards from the German aeronautical industry which helped her continue her career. She went on to fly a Messerschmidt 108 which she nicknamed 'Taifun' or 'Typhoon' a name the manufacturer retained.
On 29 September, 1935 she was invited on to the podium to congratulate the winner of the Czech Grand Prix, a young Bernd Rosemeyer. They were married a year later on 13 July, 1936 a true celebrity couple, the adventurous aviatrix and the fearless racing driver they were the toast of Nazi Germany.
Unfortunately Heinrich Himmler liked them too and he commanded Bernd to become a member of the SS.
Elly had a son Bernd Jr in November 1937 but just ten weeks later her husband was killed attempting a speed record in his Auto Union streamliner. She requested that no political situation be made over her husband's death but an officer began speaking by the graveside at Bernd's funeral and Elly just walked away.
In 1941 Elly remarried to Dr. Wittman, and they had a daughter, Stephanie.
After World War II she moved to Switzerland because Germany was not allowed powered planes. She continued flying until she was 51 years old. She is still alive and living in Germany as of May, 2006.
External links
Elly Rosemeyer currently lives in Ottobrunn, Bavaria, near Munich (05/03/06). Her son, Dr. Berndt Rosemeyer, lives near her and has enjoyed a successful career as an orthopedist. She is no longer able to give interviews.
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