Elisabeth Fritzl’s 12 Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest

The Fritzl case is a horrific story that surfaced in 2008, depicting the absolute worst of humanity. It’s a story centered around a young daughter Elisabeth Fritzl, who was held captive by her father Josef Fritzl for 24 years in Amstetten, Austria.

Elisabeth had been assaulted, sexually abused, and raped at the hands of her father, who had Elisabeth locked away in a concealed cellar within the family home. The case is a story of profound negligence and betrayal on the part of her father and his wife, Rosemarie.

As a result, Elisabeth gave birth to seven children. We’re hesitant to say in any way was there a happy ending to such a tragic story, but perhaps a silver lining is more appropriate. That silver lining came in the form of a life sentence for Josef for murder by negligence, rape, and several other charges centered around a garden variety of forms of abuse, which he happily indulged in.

Not many personal details have been disclosed about the Fritzl siblings out of precaution for their safety and privacy. With that said, we’re going to try and uncover more about Elisabeth and her siblings, from oldest to youngest.

Elisabeth Fritzl’s Siblings From Oldest to Youngest

12. Michael Fritzl (April 28, 1996 – May 1, 1996)

Michael Fritzl was two or three days old when he passed away due to illness.

His illness could be attributed to the hazard of inbreeding, as his biological father was also the father of his mother, Elisabeth.

Did You Know?

Michael Fritzl was cremated by Josef in his cellar.

11. Ulrike Fritzl (1957 – Present)

Ulrike Fritzl’s treatment was different from the treatment Elisabeth was subjected to. She is the oldest Elisabeth’s sibling. As a young girl, Ulrike had the luxury of going on vacation in Italy to soak up the sun while Elisabeth was 10-years-old, stuck with her father, Josef.

The image above is a glaring, practically offensive contrast to the reality of the horrors that were taking place back home. A friend of the family who was on that trip later said: “I can’t bear to see them (the photos) anymore — while we were enjoying ourselves — he could have been at home putting Elisabeth through who knows what ordeal.”

Did You Know?

 Ulrike now works as a teacher under the last name Pramesberger, somewhere in the foothills of the Alps.  

10. Rosemarie Jnr. Fritzl (1960 – Present)

Rosemarie Jnr Fritzl is the daughter of Josef and Rosemarie Fritzl. Her mother of the same name said in 2012 that all she has left to her name was her pride.

At 69, Rosemarie changed her name and moved. She said in an interview: “I don’t know where I’m heading now. My life has already been ruined enough. I don’t have any money. My pride is all I have left, that and my family. All I want is to keep my family.”

Young Rosemarie’s mother claims she wasn’t aware of the abuse her family endured at the hands of her husband until he was arrested.

9. Harald Fritzl (1963 – Present)

Harald Fritzl is the son of Josef and Rosemarie Fritzl. Harald, like his siblings, understandably lives a very private life. Details on his whereabouts are unknown.

The house he and his siblings grew up in was completely renovated. No trace of the horrors that went on are left. There’s no evidence to remind them or others of the elaborate mechanisms Josef had in place to keep his daughters underground for 24 years.

8. Elisabeth Fritzl (April 1966 – Present)

Elisabeth Fritzl found herself at the center of the terrifyingly tragic Fritzl case, which would sweep a nation by storm as one of the most grizzly acts of abuse in Austria’s history.

On August 28, 1984, Josef called Elisabeth into the basement under the guise of helping him with a door he was installing on a new cellar. While she held the door, Josef locked the door in place, forced her inside the cellar, and knocked her unconscious with an ether-soaked towel.

For 24 years, Elisabeth was trapped just feet below, where police, family, and friends would desperately try and search for her.

Josef lied to everyone, claiming that she’d run away to join a cult. Every day, Josef went to the cellar and pretended to work on plans for machines he sold. Rosemarie never grew suspicious and chalked it up to the focus of a man who worked very hard.

Eventually, Elisabeth gave birth to Kerstin and Stefan, who were trapped in the cellar with Elisabeth for the length of her imprisonment.

Over 24 years, she gave birth to five more kids. For the children that would leave the basement to live with the family, he’d devise schemes to make sense of how the new babies would suddenly be a part of the family.

It involved placing them in conspicuous locations like their doorstep or a nearby bush. Eventually, the investigation reopened following suspicious findings and inconsistencies in the letters Josef had been writing as Elisabeth.

Did You Know?

The 2021 film Girl In The Basement is based on the events that destroyed the lives of the Fritzl family and attracted the eyes of the national media and public worldwide. Today, Elisabeth assumed a new identity in an Austrian village with no identifiable name. It’s supposedly under constant CCTV surveillance with a police detail monitoring closely.

Interview requests with her have been declined. The last photo taken of her shared with the public was when she was only 16-years-old. 

7. Gabrielle Fritzl (1971 – Present)

Gabrielle Fritzl is the daughter of Josef and Rosemarie Fritzl.

No information on her status is available, as she and the rest of the family decline all reporter requests for interviews.

Did You Know?

Gabrielle is married to Juergen Helm. The two live together with their child near Amstetten. They have a sign outside that reads, “reporter Nicht erwunscht,” which translates to “reporters not welcome.”

6. Josef Jnr. Fritzl (1971 – Present)

Josef Jnr. Fritzl is the son of Josef and Rosemarie and Gabrielle’s twin brother.  

No information can be found on Josef Jnr. Fritzl.

Did You Know?

It’s believed he lives in Ybsstrasse, Amsterdam.

5. Doris Fritzl (1972 – Present)

Doris Fritzl is the daughter of Josef and Rosemarie.

She left home when she married.

Did You Know?

Doris dropped her infamous last name and now goes by Doris Heniki.

4. Kerstin Fritzl (August 30, 1988 – Present)

Kerstin Fritzl is one of the children born to Elisabeth under the cellar of their family home.

Information on Kerstin is undisclosed.

Did You Know?

At 19-years-old and still living in the cellar, Kerstin Fritzl was gravely ill. Elisabeth had to convince Josef to bring her to the hospital due to severe malnourishment.

3. Stefan Fritzl (February 1, 1990 – Present)

photo source: allthatsinteresting.com

Stefan Fritzl is one of the children born in the cellar underneath what should have been his home.

When released, he was cared for in a clinic near Amstetten, Austria.

Did You Know?

Stefan had to witness the death of his brother Michael, who died days after childbirth.

2. Alexander Fritzl (May 28, 1996 – Present)

Alexander is one of Elisabeth Fritzl’s children.

Information on his status now is unknown.

1. Felix Fritzl (December 16, 2002)

Felix Fritzl is the youngest sibling in the Fritzl family.

Felix is currently 19-years-old.

Details on his whereabouts are unknown, but he’s assumed to be living in Amsterdam with Elisabeth. After his release, his doctors fell in love with him, thanks to his friendly personality.

Did You Know?

As a young boy trapped in his prison, having never seen daylight, he dreamt of sleigh rides and playing with other children.