Hermann Göring – Drug Addiction, Holocaust Role, and Death

On the night of October 15, 1946, Hermann Göring, the highest-ranking Nazi to be sentenced at Nuremberg, cheated the hangman by swallowing a cyanide capsule in his prison cell. His death ended the life of a man who had been a decorated World War I ace, the architect of the Nazi police state, the commander of the Luftwaffe, and – by his own hand – a key enabler of the Holocaust.

Göring’s story is one of rapid ascent, immense power, corruption, drug addiction, and a final act of defiance. Born into a wealthy family in Rosenheim, he became Hitler’s designated successor and the second most powerful man in the Third Reich before falling from favor in the war’s final days. His trial and suicide remain defining moments in the history of international justice.

This article examines the key questions surrounding Hermann Göring: how he died, his role in the Holocaust, his family, his military rank, his health struggles, and what remains uncertain about his final words.

How Did Hermann Göring Die? The Final Moments at Nuremberg

Key Insights

• Göring’s Suicide: He cheated the hangman by taking a cyanide capsule hours before his scheduled execution, despite strict surveillance.
• Role in the Holocaust: Göring was instrumental in ordering the “Final Solution,” directing the SS and SD to eliminate Jews.
• Drug Addiction: Göring was heavily addicted to morphine, which contributed to his obesity and erratic behavior during the war.
• Family Legacy: His wife Emmy and daughter Edda were marginalized after the war, with Edda living a private life.

Snapshot Facts

Göring was sentenced to death by the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg on 1 October 1946, found guilty on all four counts. Rather than be executed, he took cyanide in his cell the night before the hanging, a fact confirmed by multiple sources including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Britannica. His exact last words remain unverified; the available records only identify his final act of swallowing the capsule.

Who Was Hermann Göring’s Family? The Lives of Emmy and Edda Göring

Hermann Göring married actress Emmy Sonnemann in 1935. The couple had one daughter, Edda Göring, born in 1938. After the war, Emmy was briefly imprisoned and later lived a quiet life. Edda, who was eight years old when her father died, grew up away from the public eye and never married. In later interviews, she described her father as a loving parent, though she acknowledged the horrors of the Nazi regime.

Göring also had a younger brother, Albert Göring, who actively opposed the Nazis and helped Jews escape persecution – a direct contrast to Hermann’s path. The relationship between the brothers has been the subject of historical interest, but detailed accounts of their interactions remain scarce.

What Was Hermann Göring’s Role in the Holocaust?

Hermann Göring was not merely a figurehead; he was directly involved in the mechanisms that led to genocide. In July 1941, he issued a memo to Reinhard Heydrich ordering him to organize the practical details of the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question.” The Wikipedia entry on Göring notes that this document is widely treated as direct evidence of his involvement in implementing mass murder.

Broader historical accounts, such as those from Biography.com, describe Göring as a principal architect of the Nazi police state and the persecution system that included concentration camps. His position as head of the Luftwaffe and his control over economic resources placed him at the center of the regime’s war machine and its racial policies.

What Was Hermann Göring’s Rank and Military Career?

Göring’s military career began in World War I, where he served as a fighter pilot and became a decorated ace, receiving the Pour le Mérite (the “Blue Max”). After the war, he joined the Nazi Party in 1922 and quickly rose through its ranks. In 1935, Hitler appointed him commander-in-chief of the newly formed German Air Force, the Luftwaffe. He held that post until 29 April 1945.

In 1940, Hitler awarded Göring the special rank of Reichsmarschall des Grossdeutschen Reiches, a title created specifically for him that placed him above all other military officers. The New York State Department of Financial Services biography describes him as a leading Nazi Party figure and organizer of the police state. Despite his high rank, Göring’s military judgment faltered during the war, particularly after the Luftwaffe’s failure in the Battle of Britain and the declining air campaign on the Eastern Front.

Why Did Hermann Göring Have a Drug and Weight Problem?

Göring’s health issues were severe and well documented. After being wounded during the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, he was treated with morphine and developed a lifelong addiction to the drug. His dependence contributed to erratic behavior, weight gain, and a decline in his physical appearance. The Biography.com entry notes that his morphine addiction became a serious problem throughout his Nazi career.

At the time of his death, Göring weighed approximately 120 kilograms (264 pounds). While some sources attribute his obesity to a metabolic disorder, the consensus among historians points to his drug habit and gluttony as primary factors. Remarkably, while awaiting trial at Nuremberg, he reportedly broke his morphine addiction, appearing relatively clear-headed during the proceedings.

Timeline of Key Events in Hermann Göring’s Life

1. 1893 – Born in Rosenheim, Germany.
2. 1914–1918 – Served as a fighter ace in World War I, awarded the Pour le Mérite.
3. 1922 – Joined the Nazi Party.
4. 1935 – Appointed Commander of the Luftwaffe.
5. 1941 – Ordered preparations for the “Final Solution.”
6. 1945 – Surrendered to U.S. forces.
7. 1 October 1946 – Sentenced to death at Nuremberg.
8. 15 October 1946 – Died by suicide using cyanide.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Göring’s Death?

Historical and Legal Context: Göring’s Place in the Nazi Regime

Hermann Göring embodied the contradictions of the Nazi elite: a decorated war hero who became a corrupt, drug-addicted power broker. His role in the Holocaust made him a primary target at Nuremberg, and his trial set a precedent for prosecuting war crimes. The Nuremberg Trials established the principle that top officials could be held accountable for systematic atrocities, a cornerstone of modern international law. For more detail on his conviction, see Göring’s trial and sentence.

Göring’s relationship with Hitler was complex. He was initially the second most powerful man in Germany, but after the Luftwaffe’s failures and his growing addiction, Hitler turned against him. In April 1945, Göring was stripped of his offices and placed under house arrest. He was later captured by American forces and brought to trial.

Sources and Quotes: What Göring Said

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

Attributed to Hermann Göring

“They can shoot me, but they cannot kill me.”

Alleged last statement (unconfirmed)

These quotes, while widely circulated, lack strong contemporary verification. The Britannica entry does not list any verified last words, and the only documented final act is the suicide itself.

Summary: Why Hermann Göring’s Story Still Matters

Hermann Göring’s life offers a stark illustration of how personal ambition, unchecked power, and addiction can converge with a murderous ideology. His suicide denied the world a full execution, but his trial and conviction at Nuremberg stand as landmarks of justice. For further reading, see Hermann Göring – Life, Death, and Nuremberg Trial and Hermann Göring – Wife, Death, Rank and Key Facts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hermann Göring