Hermann Göring: The Most Powerful Nazi Who Cheated the Hangman

Hermann Göring was the second most powerful man in Nazi Germany, a decorated World War I fighter pilot, the creator of the Gestapo, commander of the Luftwaffe, and Hitler’s designated successor. Convicted at Nuremberg for crimes against humanity, he cheated the hangman by swallowing cyanide hours before his execution. This article covers his death, family, rank, drug addiction, his little-known brother Albert, and his cultural portrayal, based on documented evidence.

How Did Hermann Göring Die? The True Story of His Suicide

Göring was one of 22 major war criminals tried by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. He was found guilty on all four counts: conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The sentence was death by hanging, which he requested be changed to firing squad, but that request was denied.

• Göring was Hitler’s designated successor until the final days of the war.
• Despite being the second most powerful Nazi, his influence waned due to drug addiction and military failures.
• He committed suicide by cyanide hours before his scheduled execution, outsmarting the Allied guards.
• His brother Albert Göring actively worked against the Nazi regime, saving many lives.

On the night of October 15, 1946, shortly before his scheduled execution, Göring ingested a cyanide capsule in his cell. The exact origin of the capsule remains uncertain—some accounts suggest it was smuggled by a guard, others that it was hidden in his belongings. He died within minutes, a final act of defiance that denied the Allies the public spectacle of his hanging. For a detailed account of his trial and conviction, see Hermann Göring – Life, Death, and Nuremberg Trial.

His behavior at the trial was described as outspoken and aggressive. He argued that the German people were not to blame and that he had not ordered atrocities. When the guilty verdict was read, he shook his head. He entered the courtroom alone for sentencing and received the death penalty without visible emotion.

Who Were Hermann Göring’s Wife and Daughter?

Emmy Göring: The First Lady of the Third Reich?

Emmy Göring, born Emmy Sonnemann, was Hermann Göring’s second wife. She was a former actress and became a public figure during the Nazi era, often accompanying Göring at official events. Sources do not provide detailed biographical information about her life beyond her role as part of Göring’s public image.

Edda Göring: Life After the Fall

Edda Göring was Hermann and Emmy’s only child, born in 1938. After the war, she lived a private life in Germany, avoiding publicity. She defended her father’s memory while never denying his crimes. Edda Göring died in 2018; little else is known about her later life.

What Was Hermann Göring’s Rank and Role in Nazi Germany?

Reichsmarschall: The Highest Military Rank

Göring was appointed Reichsmarschall, a rank created specifically for him, making him the highest-ranking officer in the Wehrmacht. He also held the posts of Commander of the Luftwaffe, Minister of Aviation, and Plenipotentiary for the Four Year Plan.

Architect of the Police State

According to Britannica, Göring established the Gestapo and the concentration camp system. He was a primary architect of the Nazi persecution apparatus. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum records his July 31, 1941 order to Reinhard Heydrich to plan the “solution to the Jewish question in Europe.”

Relationship with Hitler and Downfall

Göring was Hitler’s loyal deputy for most of the war, but his influence declined after the Luftwaffe failed to win the Battle of Britain and as his drug addiction worsened. In April 1945, Hitler stripped him of all offices after Göring attempted to assume leadership. Despite this, he remained one of the regime’s central figures.

Was Hermann Göring Addicted to Drugs? The Truth About His Weight and Health

Morphine Addiction from the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch

After being wounded in the failed 1923 putsch, Göring was given morphine for pain. He became severely addicted. Britannica notes that he underwent treatment in Sweden in 1925–26. Later sources suggest that imprisonment at Nuremberg ultimately cured him of the addiction, but by then his health was permanently affected.

Weight and Physical Decline

Göring’s weight fluctuated dramatically. Chronic morphine use can disrupt metabolism and lead to weight gain, and his luxurious wartime lifestyle compounded the issue. Warfare History Network describes him as “charming, ruthless, and completely addicted to morphine.” The drug dependence likely impaired his military judgment, contributing to the Luftwaffe’s failures in the Battle of Britain and the subsequent decline of German air power.

How Did Hermann Göring Avoid the Hangman? A Timeline of His Final Days

1. 1893: Born in Rosenheim, Germany.
2. 1914–1918: Serves as a highly decorated fighter pilot in WWI (Blue Max).
3. 1922: Joins the Nazi Party, takes control of the SA.
4. 1933: Hitler appoints him Minister of Aviation; starts building Luftwaffe.
5. 1936: Appointed plenipotentiary for the Four Year Plan.
6. 1941: Designated Hitler’s formal successor; actively orchestrates the Holocaust.
7. 1945: Surrenders to U.S. forces; captured and tried at Nuremberg.
8. 1946, October 15: Sentenced to death; commits suicide via cyanide capsule.

What Were Hermann Göring’s Last Words? Separating Fact from Myth

No verified set of “last words” exists. What is documented is that he shook his head when found guilty, entered the courtroom alone for sentencing, and received the death sentence without audible statement. The mythology of a dramatic final phrase remains unconfirmed.

Who Was Albert Göring? The Brother Who Defied the Nazis

Albert Göring, Hermann’s younger brother, is generally remembered as being anti-Nazi and helping people persecuted by the regime. Verified documentation on Albert is limited, so many details remain uncertain. However, it is known that he actively worked against the Nazi regime, in stark contrast to his brother. His story has gained recent attention as a rare example of a Nazi family member resisting the regime.

What Did Hermann Göring Say at His Trial? Key Quotes

“The victor will always be the judge, and the vanquished the accused.”

— Hermann Göring, at the Nuremberg trials

“I have no conscience! My conscience is Adolf Hitler!”

— Hermann Göring, during his testimony

“Guns will make us powerful; butter will only make us fat.”

— Hermann Göring, 1936 speech

“He was charming, ruthless, and completely addicted to morphine.”

— HistoryExtra analysis of Göring’s personality

Why Was Göring Sentenced to Death at Nuremberg?

Göring was a central figure in Nazi terror, from creating the Gestapo to issuing the order for the Final Solution. The International Military Tribunal found him guilty on all four counts. His suicide was a final act of defiance, but history records him as one of the most culpable architects of the Holocaust. For a broader perspective on the trials, see Hermann Göring – Life, Death, and Nuremberg Trial.

Hermann Göring in Pop Culture: Why Russell Crowe Played Him

BBC Culture reported that Australian actor Russell Crowe would play Hermann Göring in an upcoming film, though the film’s title has not been disclosed. Crowe’s portrayal reflects a growing cultural interest in the psychology of Nazi leaders, particularly the intersection of power, addiction, and downfall. Other actors who have played Göring include John Gielgud and Brian Cox. The casting announcement highlights the ongoing fascination with the Nuremberg psychiatrist’s interactions with Göring.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hermann Göring