That was an enormous scandal, all of Munich were talking about it. There was certainly never a romance between them until the niece shot and killed herself.
JT: What was the catalyst that propelled your sister into a relationship with him? He used to tell me in later years, “I am a private man in Munich, I want to be able to live as normally as I can.” He always regarded Munich as his home, even more so than the Berghof. That developed very slowly, Hitler was very circumspect and private. GB: Well yes, she did, but there was not a love affair between them yet. He lived in Munich but this was a tumultuous period, he was not around all the time. Hitler’s niece (Geli Raubal) was still living and he was very busy, travelling, away a lot. GB: You have to recall this was very early days. JT: During this time, what did your sister talk to you about concerning Hitler? The men he was sitting with were all a little rough looking, it was intimidating. He was proper and polite, he didn’t make this overwhelming impression on me. GB: Heavens no, he wouldn’t have done that, I was a silly girl, only 16 years old. Hitler looked at me and said, 'I see the resemblance.’ That really was all. He knew I was Eva’s sister, Hoffmann mentioned it. JT: What impression did Hitler make on you? It was Hitler’s favorite place to go in Munich for many years. I had been in there before, it was a quiet, nice Italian place. GB: I was fetching some wine and rolls for some friends. JT: What were you doing in there by yourself? It was Hoffmann that introduced us, Eva was not there. It was in the alcove of the Osteria Italiana, but then it was called the Osteria Bavaria, it’s an Italian place for locals. JT: When did you first meet Adolf Hitler? Or when did you first speak to him? I knew he was a client of Hoffmann, where Eva worked, that’s really all I knew. I knew Eva was acquainted with him, I knew they went out together sometimes, but it was nothing serious at that time. GB: I don’t think it was a relationship at that point, not yet at least. JT: Did you know at this time of his relationship with your sister? GB: No she wasn’t, and it wasn’t an ‘encounter.’ I just saw him without speaking to him. JT: Was Eva Braun with you at this encounter? But I couldn’t have told you his politics, he could have been a Communist for all I knew. I noticed him, I knew who he was because he was very up-and-coming. GB: I first saw him getting into his car on the Weinstraße, purely by chance. JT: What were the circumstances of this meeting?
GB: I was very young, it must have been 1931. JT: Can you remember when you first met Adolf Hitler? Info she gave relating details of her childhood and her life after World War II is not included below. Gretl Braun (1915-1987), was the younger sister of Eva Braun. Interview with Gretl Braun on January 6th 1974, Steingaden, West Germany by John Toland with a translator, Eugen Stammel. The extract below is part 1 of a two part interview with Gretl. There are a number of great interviews (assuming they are genuine). Trying my best not to break any forum rules, below is a cut and paste from another history forum.