Maria von Trapp (born Kutschera) (1905 - 1987)

The singer and model for Maria in the movie, The Sound of Music, Maria Augusta Kutschera was born on a train traveling to Vienna, Austria. Maria joined the Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg in 1924. In 1926 the Mother Superior arranged for her to serve a tutor to one of the seven children of the widower, Captain Georg von Trapp. Maria and the captain fell in love and were married on November 26, 1927, whereupon Maria took the von Trapp name. Maria and Captain von Trapp would have three children of their own. Von Trapp lost his fortune when his bank failed during the depression and the children, who had been coached by both of the parents began to sing for pay. After the Anschluss of Austria by Germany the family fled their native land. They escaped over the Alps into Italy. The family supported themselves with singing in professional engagements. In 1938 the von Trapps moved to the United States. The family bought some land and made a home in Stowe, Vermont, but continued to support themselves with concert tours. They opened a lodge on their property in 1950. The lodge is still in operation. Georg von Trapp died on May 30, 1947. Maria and the children continued their singing tours until 1956. In 1957 Maria von Trapp became a missionary in New Guinea. She died on March 28, 1987. Maria published the von Trapp family story in 1949, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. Three movies were made of the story of the von Trapp family, Die Trapp-Familie in 1956, Die Trapp-Familie in Amerika in 1958 and The Sound of Music in 1965.

Maria von Trapp wurde am 26. Januar 1905 in Wien geboren und starb am 28. März 1987 in Morrisville, USA. Sie war das bekannteste Mitglied der Trapp Familie, einer Familie österreichischer Sänger. Maria schrieb The Story of the Trapp Family Singers . Die Familie flüchtete vor den Nazis in die USA. Als Trapp-Sänger entwickelten sie ein Programm der Volksmusik und tourten von 1940 bis 1955 durch viele Länder.