Ludwig van Beethoven’s 7 Siblings Ranked Oldest to Youngest

When talking about classical music, most of us think of composers such as Mozart, Chopin, and Debussy. But there’s another musician from the city of Bonn in Germany who has revolutionized music forever, we’re talking about Beethoven.

This extremely talented composer has completed most of his best works in his last years after going completely deaf. Born to Maria Magdalena and Johann van Beethoven, Beethoven had a total of seven siblings and step-siblings. Unfortunately, most of them died during their childhood, but a few managed to reach adulthood.

If you would like to know more, keep reading. In this article, we will tell you everything there is to know about Ludwig van Beethoven’s siblings.

8. Johann Peter Anton Leym (1764-1764)

Johann Peter Anton Leym was Beethoven’s oldest and only half-sibling. He came to the world in 1764 but unfortunately died a few days after his birth.

Johann was the son of Beethoven’s mom, Maria Magdalena Nee Keverich, and Johann Georg Leym. Unfortunately, John died when his wife was only 19 years old, so Maria had to remarry.

Did You Know?

Maria was only 18 years old when her first child was born.

7. Ludwig Maria van Beethoven (April 1769 – April 1769)

Ludwig Maria van Beethoven was Beethoven’s second oldest sibling. He was also the first son born to Maria Magdalena and Johann van Beethoven. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about him apart from the fact that he died soon after birth.

Did You Know?

Johann met his wife on a trip to Ehrenbreitstein.

6. Ludwig van Beethoven (December 1770 – March 26, 1827)

photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most famous composers in the history of classical music. His melodies are often considered a transition between the Classical and the Romantic Era. Some of his most famous pieces include Symphonie N. 9 and Für Elise.

This famous composer was born in Bonn, a city located in Western Germany, where his father taught him how to play the piano from an early age. Later in life, Beethoven started to take lessons from Christian Gottlob Neefe.

In these years, thanks to Neefe’s support, he published his first work, a set of keyboard variations. At the time, Ludwig was only 13 years old.

In the following years, Beethoven found a way to escape the stressful situation in his household and was welcomed by Helene Von Breuning.

Helene was a member of the Bonn upper class who asked Ludwig to teach piano to her kids. She became a sort of second mom to Beethoven and provided him with education while introducing him to social circles.

When Beethoven was 21 years old, he decided to move to Vienna, one of the most important cities in Europe in the classical music scene. Here he became extremely prolific and composed most of his works.

Unfortunately, around the beginning of the 19th century, his hearing started to deteriorate.

Beethoven became completely deaf in 1814 and decided to live a more secluded life away from his many fans. Nonetheless, he continued to compose music till his death in 1827.

Did You Know?

Beethoven’s house in Bonn can still be visited today.

5. Kaspar Anton Karl van Beethoven (April 1774 – November 15, 1815)

Kaspar Anton Karl was one of Beethoven’s siblings. He was born in 1774 and lost his mom when he was just 13 years old.

In 1794, Kaspar decided to move to Vienna where Beethoven was already living. Here his brother helped him financially for some time and also gave him his support in finding pupils. Kaspar also tried to compose his own music but was never successful.

In 1800, he started to serve as a clerk in the Department of Finance, and soon after he began to work as Beethoven’s secretary keeping in contact with his many publishers. Nonetheless, soon many publishers complained about his rudeness.

The relationship between Beethoven and Kasper deteriorated around 1802 when he sold a set of piano sonatas to a Leipzig publisher despite Beethoven having already promised the work to the Nägeli publisher firm. Kaspar continued to work for his brother till 1806.

In 1809, Kaspar received a promotion and started to serve as a Deputy Liquidator, earning a total of 1000 florins per month. During this period, he was also making money by renting out an apartment in the Alservorstadt suburb.

This house has been inherited by his wife, Johanna Reiß. The two met in the 1800s and married on the 25th of May when Johanna was six months pregnant with a baby boy who the couple decided to call Karl.

Ludwig never approved of the marriage and after Kaspar died of tuberculosis, Beethoven and Johanna had a long dispute for the custody of Karl.

Did You Know?

When Kaspar died, his son was only six years old.

4. Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven (October 2, 1776 – January 12, 1848)

photo source: commons.wikimedia.org

Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven was born in 1776 and was Beethoven’s second sibling to survive childhood. He was trained to be a pharmacist and in 1795 moved to Vienna where both his brothers already lived.

Here he served as a pharmacist assistant and managed to open his own pharmacy in 1808 in a city known as Linz.

When the following year, Napoleon invaded Austria, Nikolaus worked for months in the base camp established in the city, taking care of wounded soldiers. This greatly helped him boost his career.

In 1812, Nikolaus decided that he wanted to marry Thérèse Obermeyer, his own housekeeper. Ludwig did not support this union, but his brother did not change his mind.

A few years later, Nikolaus bought an estate in Gneixendorf. It was here that Beethoven composed the finale of his String Quartet Op. 130.

Did You Know?

Nikolaus Johann and Thérèse Obermeyer never had children.

3. Anna Maria Francisca van Beethoven (February 23, 1779 – February 28, 1779)

Anna Maria Francisca van Beethoven was born in 1779 and died five days after birth.

2. Franz Georg van Beethoven (January 17, 1781 – August 16, 1783)

Franz Georg van Beethoven was Maria’s last son. He was born in 1781 and only lived two years.

Did You Know?

When Franz was born his father was 40 years old and his mom was 34.

1. Maria Margarita van Beethoven (1786 – November 26 – 1787)

Maria Margarita was Beethoven’s youngest sibling. She was born in 1786 and died in November of the following year.