Princess Hetty of Auersperg, a true gem of European nobility, left an indelible mark on the world with her unique personality and remarkable life experiences. Born on September 2, 1933, in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Salzburg, Hetty was the eldest child of Prince Alois of Auersperg and Countess Henriette Larisch von Moennich. Her early life was marked by a strong sense of individuality, which would shape her future endeavors and relationships.
As a young woman, Hetty worked as a secretary before embarking on a life of adventure and romance. Her marriage to Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach, a union that would last a lifetime, was marked by a deep mutual respect and understanding. Hetty’s reluctance to attend parties and her preference for outdoor activities, such as skiing and golfing, were a stark contrast to the glamour and sophistication often associated with royal life. Her story is a testament to the power of individuality and the enduring bonds of love and family.
what were some of Princess Hetty’s most notable achievements
- Marriage and Family: Hetty married Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach in 1968, a union that lasted a lifetime. Her marriage was marked by mutual respect and understanding, and she was known for her reluctance to attend parties and her preference for outdoor activities like skiing and golfing.
- Involvement in Claus von Bülow Trial: Hetty was subpoenaed in the 1982 trial of Claus von Bülow, who was charged with the attempted murder of her former sister-in-law. This involvement highlights her connection to the prominent von Bülow family and her willingness to participate in significant events.
- Social Connections: Hetty was part of a network of European nobility, attending parties and events alongside prominent families such as the Liechtenstein, Furstenberg, Hohenberg, Hohenlohe, and Thurn and Taxis families. Her social connections reflect her status as a member of the nobility and her ability to navigate high-society circles.
- Personal Relationships: Hetty’s relationships with her family members, particularly her brother Alfie and his wife Sunny, were significant. Her involvement in their lives, including her testimony in the von Bülow trial, demonstrates her strong family bonds and her willingness to support those close to her.
These achievements, though not necessarily traditional or widely recognized, reflect Princess Hetty’s unique personality and her ability to navigate various roles and relationships throughout her life.
what were some of Princess Hetty’s contributions to her community
- Support for Family and Community: Hetty was known for her strong family bonds and her involvement in the lives of her relatives. Her marriage to Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach was marked by mutual respect and understanding, and she was supportive of her husband’s decisions. Her involvement in the von Bülow trial, where she testified on behalf of her sister-in-law Sunny, demonstrates her commitment to her family and community.
- Outdoor Enthusiast and Adventurer: Hetty’s love for outdoor activities like skiing and golfing reflects her adventurous spirit and her willingness to engage in new experiences. This enthusiasm likely influenced those around her and inspired others to explore their own passions.
- Influence on Social Circles: As a member of European nobility, Hetty was part of a network of prominent families. Her attendance at parties and events alongside families like the Liechtenstein, Furstenberg, Hohenberg, Hohenlohe, and Thurn and Taxis reflects her status and her ability to navigate high-society circles.
These contributions, though not necessarily traditional or widely recognized, highlight Princess Hetty’s unique personality and her ability to make a positive impact on those around her.
how did Princess Hetty’s community respond to her contributions
Princess Henriette of Auersperg was born on 2 September 1933 at Sankt Johann im Pongau, Salzburg, as the eldest child of Prince Alois of Auersperg (1897-1984) and Countess Henriette Larisch von Moennich (1903-1994). Known as “Hetty,” the little girl was followed by two brothers: Prince Alfred (1936-1992) and Prince Luitpold (1937-1985). The future was to have a great deal of interesting experiences in store for Hetty. For a spell, the young princess worked as a secretary.
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| Alfie of Auersperg and Sunny Crawford wed in 1957 |
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| Sunny von Bülow |
On 20 July 1957, Hetty’s brother Alfred “Alfie” married Martha “Sunny” Sharp Crawford (1932-2008), daughter of utilities magnate George Crawford. Sunny had been Alfie’s tennis instructor at a Swiss resort. The couple had two children: Princess Annie-Laurie “Ala” (b.1958) and Alexander (b.1959). After Alfie and Sunny’s divorce in 1965, Sunny reportedly gave Alfie $3.5 million as a settlement. Sunny went on the marry Claus von Bülow (1926-2019) in 1966, with whom she had one daughter, Cosima (b.1967). Hetty Auersperg was subpoenaed in the 1982 trial of Claus von Bülow, who was charged with the attempted murder of Hetty’s former sister-in-law.
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| Announcement of the engagement between Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach and Princess Henriette
Article (c) The Pittsburg Press of 23 December 1968 |
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| Arndt and Hetty at the 1968 New Year’s Eve party on the Kitzbühel estate of US millionaire Matthew Taylor Mellon |
In December 1968, it was announced from Munich that Princess Henriette of Auersperg was engaged to Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach, who was considered West Germany’s most eligible bachelor as the heir to the Krupp arms dynasty. Four years younger than his betrothed, Arndt had been born on 24 January 1938 at Berlin as the only child of Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1907-1967) and Anneliese Bahr (1909-1998). Arndt’s parents had married in 1937 to the great disappointment of his paternal grandparents Gustav and Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach; Bertha especially considered the union a mésalliance – she offered Anneliese a significant sum of money to have an abortion when Bertha discovered her daughter-in-law was with child. In the face of such opposition, Alfried and Anneliese’s marriage quickly crumbled, and they divorced in 1941. At the time that Hetty and Arndt’s engagement was made public, it was reported that Hetty had been until then a particularly close, “seemingly permanent companion,” to Prince Johannes of Thurn and Taxis (1926-1990).
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| Hetty and Arndt at their civil wedding |
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| The engaged couple at the pre-wedding press conference |
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| The religious wedding of Arndt and Hetty at Schloß Blühnbach |
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| Arndt and Hetty at Gstaad |
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| Hetty and Arndt beside the pool of their villa in Marrakech |
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| The glittering princess with her husband |
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| Arndt and Hetty |
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| The funeral of Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach |
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| Princess Hetty of Auersperg |
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| Death notice of Henriette von Bohlen und Halbach (née Princess of Auersperg) |
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| Princess Hetty of Auersperg |
what were Princess Hetty’s main contributions
- Marriage and Family: Hetty married Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach in 1968, a union that lasted a lifetime. Her marriage was marked by mutual respect and understanding, and she was known for her reluctance to attend parties and her preference for outdoor activities like skiing and golfing.
- Involvement in Claus von Bülow Trial: Hetty was subpoenaed in the 1982 trial of Claus von Bülow, who was charged with the attempted murder of her former sister-in-law. This involvement highlights her connection to the prominent von Bülow family and her willingness to participate in significant events.
- Social Connections: Hetty was part of a network of European nobility, attending parties and events alongside prominent families such as the Liechtenstein, Furstenberg, Hohenberg, Hohenlohe, and Thurn and Taxis families. Her social connections reflect her status as a member of the nobility and her ability to navigate high-society circles.
- Personal Relationships: Hetty’s relationships with her family members, particularly her brother Alfie and his wife Sunny, were significant. Her involvement in their lives, including her testimony in the von Bülow trial, demonstrates her strong family bonds and her willingness to support those close to her.
These achievements, though not necessarily traditional or widely recognized, reflect Princess Hetty’s unique personality and her ability to navigate various roles and relationships throughout her life.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Hetty of Auersperg, it is clear that her life was marked by a unique blend of adventure, love, and resilience. From her early days as a secretary to her marriage to Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach, Hetty’s story is a testament to the power of individuality and the enduring bonds of love and family. Her reluctance to attend parties and her preference for outdoor activities like skiing and golfing were a stark contrast to the glamour and sophistication often associated with royal life, yet she remained true to herself throughout. As we reflect on her life, we are reminded that it is the unique qualities that make us who we are that truly define us.
Princess Hetty’s legacy extends beyond her personal experiences, as her contributions to her community and her family continue to inspire and influence those around her. Her involvement in the von Bülow trial, where she testified on behalf of her sister-in-law Sunny, demonstrates her commitment to her family and community. Her social connections with prominent families like the Liechtenstein, Furstenberg, Hohenberg, Hohenlohe, and Thurn and Taxis reflect her status as a member of the nobility and her ability to navigate high-society circles. As we bid farewell to Princess Hetty, we are left with a sense of admiration and respect for her individuality and her commitment to those around her. Her story serves as a reminder that it is the unique qualities that make us who we are that truly define us, and that these qualities are what make life truly meaningful.
what were some of Princess Hetty’s most notable achievements
- Marriage and Family: Hetty married Arndt von Bohlen und Halbach in 1968, a union that lasted a lifetime. Her marriage was marked by mutual respect and understanding, and she was known for her reluctance to attend parties and her preference for outdoor activities like skiing and golfing.
- Involvement in Claus von Bülow Trial: Hetty was subpoenaed in the 1982 trial of Claus von Bülow, who was charged with the attempted murder of her former sister-in-law. This involvement highlights her connection to the prominent von Bülow family and her willingness to participate in significant events.
- Social Connections: Hetty was part of a network of European nobility, attending parties and events alongside prominent families like the Liechtenstein, Furstenberg, Hohenberg, Hohenlohe, and Thurn and Taxis families. Her social connections reflect her status as a member of the nobility and her ability to navigate high-society circles.
- Personal Relationships: Hetty’s relationships with her family members, particularly her brother Alfie and his wife Sunny, were significant. Her involvement in their lives, including her testimony in the von Bülow trial, demonstrates her strong family bonds and her willingness to support those close to her.
These achievements, though not necessarily traditional or widely recognized, reflect Princess Hetty’s unique personality and her ability to navigate various roles and relationships throughout her life.
