Margarethe Krupp assumed leadership of the Krupp company trustees in 1902 following the death of her husband, Friedrich Alfred Krupp. Her oversight of the industrial firm continued until 1906, when her daughter Bertha married. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, she established a residential foundation that significantly influenced urban development in Essen through the implementation of garden city principles.
Early Life and Education
Born Margarethe von Ende on 15 March 1854 in Wrocław, she was the fourth of ten children born to Freiherr August von Ende and Eleonore Gräfin von Königsdorff. After two years of secondary education, she pursued training as a teacher against her mother's preferences. She subsequently worked as a governess in England and at the court of the Duchy of Anhalt in Dessau. In 1872, she met Friedrich Alfred Krupp in Essen. Despite initial opposition from his family due to her aristocratic background, the couple married in 1882. They had two daughters, Bertha and Barbara.
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Upon the death of her husband in 1902, the Krupp company passed to their daughter, Bertha. She occupied this position for four years, managing the interests of the steel conglomerate until 1906.
The Margarethe Krupp Foundation
Following her tenure as trustee, Margarethe Krupp shifted her focus toward housing development. In 1906, she donated an area of land and one million marks to establish the Margarethe Krupp-Stiftung. This foundation promoted the garden city movement, creating an estate designed to house a mix of company employees and local government officials. The Essen council named this area Margarethenhöhe in her honour. As of 2025, the foundation manages 3,100 residential units and 60 commercial units.
Public Recognition
On 8 August 1912, Margarethe Krupp became the first woman to be named an honorary citizen of Essen. She died on 24 February 1931 and is interred at the Bredeney cemetery. Her life has been documented in various media, including the television series Krupp – Eine deutsche Familie, where she was portrayed by Barbara Auer, and a 2023 novel by Birgit Ebbert titled Die Königin von der Ruhr.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 March 1854, Wrocław
- Died: 24 February 1931, Essen
- Spouse: Friedrich Alfred Krupp
- Children: Bertha Krupp, Barbara Krupp
- Honorary citizenship: Essen, 1912
- Foundation established: 1906
- Primary occupations: Businessperson, educator
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the Margarethe Krupp Foundation?
It established a housing scheme based on garden city principles that provided integrated living spaces for both company employees and government officials.
Did Margarethe Krupp manage the company permanently?
No, she served as the head of the company's trustees only between 1902 and 1906, during the period when her daughter, Bertha, was a minor.
