Ludwig von Heilendorf

Count Ludwig von Heilendorf (1898-1955) was the son of Count Gustav von Heilendorf.

His parents did not have much money, and so Ludwig had to find a rich wife. He settled for the beautiful Anne Lawrence, heiress of a large fortune. They married in 1927 and had children: Heinrich (born 1928), Claire (born 1930) and Susan (born 1931). The couple had a very troubled marriage, and in 1938 Anne abandoned Ludwig and returned to the United States with her children. There, she was granted a divorce which, however, was not valid in Brasland.

Ludwig, as part of the divorce settlement, was granted a large amount of money. He dilapidated it in parties, alcohol, gambling, women and travelling, causing great damage to his health. By 1944 he was broke, his friends deserted him and his family did not want to have anything to do with him. He move to a small cottage in the countryside and turned to religion. He became quite a spiritual man, tortured by his weak body and his addictions. His sisters occasionally visited him, but they had their own lives. They supported him financially, but he lived under very limited conditions.

The Count had not seen his children since the divorce, but in 1951 his son Heinrich visited him. The young man stayed in Brasland for a couple of months, renewing his relationship with his father. His sisters did the same later, and Ludwig improved his health and spirits. However, he did not live for much long. In 1955 he died, and was found two days later by one of his sisters who had come to visit.