Alois Hitler, born Alois Schicklgruber in 1837, was an Austrian customs official and the father of Adolf Hitler. This portrait shows him late in life, around 1901, with the stern, formal look typical of official photographs from the period. His heavy moustache, close-cropped hair, dark suit, white shirt, and bow tie give him the appearance of a rigid civil servant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Alois was born out of wedlock in Strones, Austria, and the identity of his biological father has remained uncertain. As a young man, he worked as a cobbler's apprentice before joining the Austrian customs service in 1855. He spent around 40 years in that career, moving through various posts before retiring in 1895.
His family life was complicated. He married three times, and his third wife, Klara Pölzl, was the mother of Adolf Hitler. Historical accounts often describe Alois as strict, domineering, short-tempered, and demanding inside the home. Adolf was only 13 when Alois died suddenly in 1903 after collapsing at an inn in Leonding.
This image is unsettling because it shows not a dictator, but the father of one. Alois belonged to an older world of uniforms, hierarchy, discipline, and imperial bureaucracy. His life gives a small but important glimpse into the family background Adolf Hitler came from, while also reminding us how ordinary portraits sometimes sit close to dark chapters of history.
Three weeks on from the horrific diving accident in the Maldives, where 5 Italian divers sadly lost their lives 🇮🇹
One of the most accurate videos, with an excellent hypothetical reconstruction of the events as they happened
Based also on the heroic recovery of the bodies
Getting around in Florida is problem. The issue I always have is driving up to another vehicle and the vehicle speeds up and I'm their cruise control! So you can't get away anymore!
Mexicans, blacks, Indians and women CANNOT drive
“I’m honesty scared to drive on the highway. Mexicans get drunk and they’re out there driving at 5am, blacks are driving on the shoulder, Indians are driving the wrong way in an 18 wheeler.” 😭