Hermann Göring – Life, Crimes and Suicide of the Nazi Leader

Hermann Wilhelm Göring was one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany, second only to Adolf Hitler. A decorated World War I flying ace, he became the commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s designated successor, and the architect of many of the regime’s most brutal policies. His life ended not at the gallows, but by his own hand, swallowing a cyanide capsule hours before his scheduled execution at the Nuremberg Trials.

Göring’s path from war hero to war criminal is a story of ambition, addiction, and total moral collapse. He was instrumental in the creation of the Gestapo and the first concentration camps, and he directly authorized the “Final Solution” that led to the genocide of six million Jews. His lavish lifestyle, drug addiction, and dramatic downfall have made him a subject of enduring historical fascination and frequent pop culture portrayal.

This article provides a fact-driven examination of his life, his death, his family, his role in the Holocaust, and the lingering questions about his health and psychology.

Who Was Hermann Göring?

Key Insights

• Göring was the highest-ranking Nazi to face trial at Nuremberg and ultimately committed suicide hours before his execution.
• He was a known morphine addict and struggled with weight, intelligence, and leadership during the final years of WWII.
• His daughter Edda Göring lived a private life, largely overshadowed by her father’s crimes.
• Pop culture has portrayed Göring as a physical and psychological caricature (e.g., Russell Crowe) but historical truth is more complex.
• His role in the Holocaust included ordering the ‘Final Solution’ and directing the plunder of European art.

Göring was born into a wealthy family in Rosenheim. He served as an infantry lieutenant and later transferred to the Air Force as a combat pilot during World War I, becoming a highly decorated pilot by the war’s end. After the war, he joined the Nazi Party in 1922 after meeting Adolf Hitler and was appointed commander of the Sturmabteilung (SA). He was wounded during the failed Beer Hall Putsch and was treated with morphine, which led to a lifelong drug addiction. He later held key positions including Prussian Minister President, Reich Commissioner for Air, and Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe.

How Did Hermann Göring Die?

Hermann Göring was captured by U.S. troops on May 9, 1945, and tried at the Nuremberg Trials in 1946. He was found guilty on all four counts: conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and was sentenced to death by hanging. He denied involvement in the regime’s “monstrous activities” but pleaded to be shot instead of hanged—a request that was denied.

On the night of his scheduled execution, October 15, 1946, he swallowed a cyanide capsule and died in his cell, avoiding execution. His last words are not independently verified, with multiple versions existing. One account reports him saying, “Goodbye, my dearest,” to his wife. Another claims he said, “I have no intention of being hanged like a dog.” A third version, reported by guards at Nuremberg, attributes the statement, “I will not let them put me in a cage. I will die before that.”

What Were the Circumstances of His Capture?

In the final days of the war, Göring sent a treasonous telegram to Hitler requesting leadership of the Reich. Hitler responded by removing him from all positions, expelling him from the party, and ordering his arrest. He was eventually captured by American forces.

Who Were Hermann Göring’s Wife and Daughter?

Göring married his second wife, Emma “Emmy” Sonnemann, in 1935. The couple had a daughter, Edda Göring, born in 1938. Edda lived a private life in Germany after the war, was never prosecuted, and largely avoided the public eye. She died in 2018.

Interestingly, Göring’s younger brother, Albert Göring, actively opposed the Nazi regime. He was not involved in his brother’s crimes and was not prosecuted after the war.

What Was Hermann Göring’s Role in the Holocaust?

Göring was instrumental in consolidating Nazi power in 1933, establishing the first state-controlled concentration camps, and organizing the Gestapo (secret political police). This directly laid the foundation for the regime’s broader system of persecution and terror.

His most direct command in the Holocaust came in July 1941 when he issued a memo to Reinhard Heydrich ordering the organization of the “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Question,” directly authorizing the Holocaust. By the time of his order, mass killings of Jews were already occurring in Poland and Russia. The Wannsee Conference, held six months later, formalized genocide as Reich policy.

Beyond his direct command, Göring expanded Nazi plundering into Eastern Europe, looted art treasures, and created a personal hunting reserve in Bialowieza by clearing local populations.

What Was Hermann Göring’s Health and Drug Use Like?

Göring’s health was severely affected by his drug addiction, which began with morphine treatment for a wound sustained during the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. He required two stays in treatment centers. His drug use contributed to his physical and mental decline, particularly during the final years of the war, and played a role in his fluctuating weight.

Regarding his IQ, the exact score is disputed. While tested during the Nuremberg trial, no official record was released. Estimates place it around 130–135, which is above average but not in the genius range. His precise weight at the time of his death is also unclear, though sources describe him as obese and his weight fluctuated significantly.

How Is Hermann Göring Portrayed in Media and Pop Culture?

Portrayals of Göring in film and television often emphasize his physical size, flamboyant uniforms, and erratic behavior. Actors such as Russell Crowe have brought the character to modern screens. These portrayals frequently exaggerate his size and demeanor for dramatic effect, turning a complex historical figure into a caricature. The historical truth, however, is more nuanced, involving a man who was simultaneously a war hero, a brilliant political strategist, a drug addict, and a mass murderer.

What Is the Historical Context of His Actions?

The historical context of Göring’s rise begins with his WWI heroism and early association with Hitler. The Nazi Party offered a path back to power and purpose for a man humiliated by Germany’s defeat. His drug use, fueled by morphine addiction, impaired his judgment and contributed to his physical and mental decline, especially during the war. The Nuremberg trial, the first international tribunal for war crimes, was a landmark event in international law. Göring’s suicide was a final act of defiance, allowing him to control the manner of his death. His wealth, amassed through art looting from across Europe, made him one of the richest Nazis.

How Did Göring’s Own Words Describe His Actions?

During his trial, Göring made several notable statements. He said, “The people of Germany must be free, but they must be free from the Jewish yoke,” revealing the ideological core of his beliefs. Another quote, attributed to his comments to guards, is, “I will not let them put me in a cage. I will die before that,” which proved prophetic. Another version of his final statement is, “I have no intention of being hanged like a dog.” These words continue to be analyzed by historians seeking to understand his psychology.

What Is the Comprehensive Summary of Hermann Göring’s Life?

Hermann Göring was a man of immense ambition, talent, and cruelty. He rose from a decorated WWI pilot to become the second most powerful man in Nazi Germany. He was a key architect of the Holocaust, ordering the “Final Solution.” He was a morphine addict who died by his own hand to avoid the hangman’s noose at the Nuremberg Trials. His legacy is a study in the banality and evil of absolute power.

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Sophie MarloweStaff Writer

Sophie Marlowe covers culture, lifestyle and society for BritView.uk.