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I found another photograph (thank you Life magazine) of Joseph Thorak with Inga, taken at the same time as the one posted earlier. So lovely.
A rare moment of happiness, captured.

Recently, I had decided to move this journal over here from Live journal.
What prompted the move, was a series of posts and a deluge of spam messages, all in Cyrillic.
Russian spammers.
So Dreamwidth, created by the original folks who began Live Journal, is the latest and best option. Not owned by Russians ;-)

Granted, I have made some changes regarding security and comments, so bear with me.

I also just realized that this journal, is currently the most concise online collection of photos and info on Inga Ley.

***Edited to add on 2/5/11
Yes, after further research, it is indeed Inga Ley in the photo****

This photo is of Josef Thorak, Austrian born sculptor and one of Hitler's favorite artists.
He created sculptures for the Olympia Stadium in Berlin, as well as for the 1937 World Exposition in Paris. Here he is with a very blonde lady that could very well be Inga Ley:

Her profile is very similar, but I'm also inclined to think she looks a lot like Gertraud Forster, who had also visited the Teehaus. Gertraud's hair is a darker color of blonde though. The above photo was taken just outside the Teehaus at a small private park/look-out point.

I personally think it *is* Inga.
Either way, it's a lovely photo ;-)

A night at the theater?

From the collection of Harry von Gebhardt.

A new photo of Inga, in the company of Winifred Wagner, Robert Ley (back to camera), and others I have yet to identify. I *think that's Hitler (also with back to camera) Winifred is speaking with.

While browsing Etsy about a month back, I stumbled upon a beautiful floral dress.
It was not only from my favorite decade of the last century, but also from Germany.
Why am I writing about this dress here?
This dress not only looks like something Inga would have worn, *and* it was custom tailored for a taller lady. I'm around 5' 9" and it's perfect. The jacket is a little short in the waist, but not so much that it's an issue.
The seller of this dress was located in Weisbaden, not far from Frankfurt, and I dated the dress to be from around 1938.
The dress is a longer style, possibly an afternoon party dress, made from a light weight cotton chintz with a matching jacket. The beautiful floral pattern is on a black background.
The original price the seller had it listed for was a tad high for me, but to my surprise, she later dropped the price to nearly half. So I snapped it up faster than you can say 'Strength Through Joy'.

I hope to take some photos of me in the dress, Inga style. It's got a little dust on it, and is a bit wrinkled from hanging in a closet for who knows how long. Nothing a light cleaning won't cure and otherwise, it's in perfect shape.
Here's a link to photos of the dress on the seller's mannequin:
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/33447658

***Disclaimer: This journal does not intend to glorify, nor does the author condone, the actions of the NSADP before and during World War II. The writings within are merely research and theories regarding one member of Adolf Hitler's inner social and political circle.***

Just because, here is the color film footage that shows Inga in that wonderful pink ensemble.
She shows up at around 1:50...

The week has been full of odd dreams for me during my non waking hours.
It's probably due to stress and the season, but they have been entertaining nonetheless.

One involved living in London, and being stalked by two men; one sane and handsome (we can only guess), the other scruffy and psycho. They ended up stealing my shoes o_0

Anyway...
Last night my dream state took me to an imagined life if Inga herself.
Although it was a dream, it seemed all too vivid. It ran like a program on the History Channel.
What was interesting, was that supposed information was divulged to me via the events that played out in this dream. I was experiencing them as Inga Ley.
As dreams so often do, the details have faded a bit.
I really need to start keeping a written journal for this kind of thing next to the bed.

Once scene involved me (Inga) driving up a winding and dangerous mountain road, in a rather dare-devil way. I was in a hurry, and felt that I would get in trouble if someone discovered I was driving alone without an escort. It was apparent that I had done this before and it didn't go over too well with someone. I reached what looked like a smaller version of Brechtesgaden.
After that, I just remember running up a lot of stairs to get to a hotel room, and felt I had to hide.

Another part took place during what seemed like an earlier point in time, perhaps during Inga's teen years. I was looking into a large baroque mirror at a ball, like a debutante ball. The reflection was Inga at about age 16, dressed in a light sea green chiffon dress. She looked a bit shaken by something.
Suddenly a woman that likely represented her mother appeared, whispered something in Inga's ear that calmed her, then led her back towards a piano. Right after that I remember singing something while someone played said piano.
I'm wracking my brain to try and remember what tune or song it was.
It's one of those things I will hear somewhere, or remember in a week or two, and it will hit me like a brick.

The third and final scene I can still remember was walking around in Paris.
This scene may have been triggered by the film footage I posted here a little while back. I was in the polka dot dress and it was warm out. I remember the scent of roses.
I was trying to stay far away from Robert, since he was being an ass. During the walk, I recognized a few familiar faces.
Robert was trying to incite an argument with me at every chance, would yell some kind of random vulgarity in my direction, and I just kept trying to walk far enough ahead of him to stay clear of his path.
A woman who resembled Eva Braun's sister, Gretl was trying to distract me and keep me calm. She was cracking jokes to try and make me laugh. It seemed to be working, since I recall laughing really hard at one in particular.
I'm wishing I could remember it all now; something to do with Hitler and two donkeys.

Of all these snippets, each time, I would catch myself in a mirror or reflection and see Inga looking back.
A little creepy, but interesting.

Inga is 3rd from the right, in a floral dress...

Above photo possibly taken the same evening this one was...

A the theater or a speech...

With comic and clown performer, Grock (sorry for such a small photo)...

Interesting story involving Inga and Grock; Inga had supposedly sent Grock a letter on Dec. 29th, wishing him a happy new year. When he received it, he also received the news of her death.
More about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grock

Remember this shot?

Ever wonder where they were headed? It was here, at a parade honoring the Condor Legion. Look closely and see if you can find them...

(hint; look near the swastika image. Robert's head is hidden by it, and Inga has taken off her coat)

I have some photos to share, but LJ is being a ho-bag at the moment, so it will have to wait until later.
Stay tuned.

Statement of Hedwig Schröder (the housekeeper at the Ley villa in Berlin).

Translation from the mauscript:

"I stood with Otto Marrenbach and his adjutant still beside Robert Ley in the foyer in the first floor when the shot fell. Robert Ley was just on way to the Führerhauptquartier. Of my knowledge Otto Marrenbach was the first in the bedroom and he has taken the gun to himself*. After him Robert Ley entered the room.
I was present when the corpse was found in the bedroom. Inga Ley lay half back on the bed, the gun beside her. The wall to the right was full of blood, it was terrible".

*("taken the gun to himself", meaning taken it away from Inga's body.)

Inga was the daughter of a theater director named Max Spilcker.
So I would at least assume that is her maiden name.
I'm trying to find out where she is buried...if she even has a grave site anymore :-(

A little detour from Inga for a moment, to focus on Robert Ley.

It's widely known that Herr Ley was an alcoholic, but the reason for it goes beyond genetics, depression, stress, etc.
Ley served as a pilot in World War I, and was shot down over France.
He survived, barely. Of his many injuries, the head injury he sustained was the worst.
Along with swelling, his frontal lobe was damaged permanently. Some of his cognitive reasoning was hindered, but not so badly that anyone could tell directly.
What plagued him, was a stutter in his speech.
It was so bad in the years following his injury, he began to drink in order to speak without this impediment.
Apparently this worked, but unfortunately this caused his need to drink constantly in his waking hours.
This, combined with the other brain injuries that caused him to be erratic, made for an unpredictable personality and a horrible married life for Inga.

Inga herself eventually turned to drink.
I wonder sometimes if She was the type of person who went into her marriage with Robert with hope and a positive outlook.
Expecting nothing more than any new wife and woman of the Reich would expect; to be a model example of Germany's woman. A mother, a provider for her children, a good wife and 'arm charm' to her husband, a perfect homemaker, and to be loved and adored by her family in return. I'm sure the lure of her husband's position in Hitler's administration was appealing as well.

While she had 3 children that brought her joy, though a difficult task by the third, what her husband gave her was nothing short of absolute hell.
In my own opinion, I think what finally broke her completely, was the knowledge that "this was it". This is what life had dealt for her.
All her hopes, the fantasy of a happy home and motherhood, and a loving husband were torn apart.
She may have also predicted Germany's loss of the war, and a world that had no place for her.

In my search I have stumbled across a letter, written by Inga to her Mother.
What she describes briefly about her well being strikes a cord with me, since the letter was written the same year she took her life.
About 8 months later, she and Robert would have a final, vicious and drunken argument that would result in her taking a gun to her head, and pulling the trigger.

The letter itself, on her personal stationary.
Click on image to enlarge

Below is a translation, Thank you

sokkmonkey!. There is most likely a second page or more missing, as the letter seems to cut off, with no finishing lines or signature.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tuesday, May 20th 1942

My dear mother!

I have recently returned from our visit and I thank you.
I'm glad you appreciate my love for riding (horseback, the word used is "trotting"= dressage).
It's nice to know you enjoy it as much as I do.
Hopefully you received the flowers I sent you for mothers day.
Things are getting a little better for me, the "discomfort" is not so strong, next week I will have had no major problems. for 14 days.
(something) another 108 reichsmarks will just simply not (torn area of note)-the weather seems to be staying completely gorgeous."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: http://www.cas.sk/minigallery/184210?foto=3

When looking at photos of Inga recently, I realized that she resembles an aunt of mine from my father's side.
If you can imagine Inga as a light brunette, my aunt Elisabeth could have been her sister.
While that aunt is my grandmother's daughter from her second marriage, and not from my biological grandfather (killed in action in '44?), It's those same features from my grandmother that were been passed on to me as well.

I know this all sounds very narcissistic, and perhaps a bit mental, but I assure you this is just idle curiosity.
In large part due to just how many random people have told me I resemble her.
She is such an obscure character within Hitler's entourage, that it always surprises me how many times my features will cause people to think of her, of all people. I usually assume that very few people know about her, such as myself not that long ago.
But then, I'm usually around a lot of WWII history buffs ;-)

Just for chuckles, here is a photo of me. You be the judge...

My photo is at an odd angle, but we definitely have the same nose ;-)
(the baby is her daughter, Lore)

Not sure when or where this was taken, but it looks like a swell dinner party ;-)

In Dahlem with the Ribbentrop family

Inga at Dahlem with the Ribbentrop family

In a car with Robert on the way to the Eagle's Nest

Last two photos from the Harry von Gebhardt collection

Paris 1937. You can see Inga briefly at 0:23, in an adorable polka dot dress.

Gazing from Kehlsteinhaus (the Eagle's Nest)

With Robert

Earlier that day.

Photos from Harry von Gebhardt

I started this journal as a way to learn more, or just to record thoughts and research about a rather mysterious woman.
For just over a year now, Inga Ley has fascinated me to no end.

It began when not one, but 3 people on separate occasions, told me I had an uncanny resemblance to her.
At the time, I had no clue who she was, but these comparisons peaked my curiosity...so I typed her into Google.

Inga Ley allegedly left this world in 1942, but her image remains in a few smoky photographs, and a snippet of early color film footage.
Sometimes her name is spelled "Inge", and information on her is scarce but for the story of her sad end.
There aren't many photos of Inga, but the ones I have found thus far just add to the mystery.
A tall beautiful blonde with a sylph-like yet strong figure, and eyes that seem to telegraph the emotions of a caged bird.
At times smiling and sparkling, and at others showing a glimpse of internal struggle. Perhaps a yearning for something just beyond her grasp.

As the wife of German Labor Party (Arbeitsfront) Leader, Robert Ley Inga was the epitome of the female Germanic beauty.
A ballet dancer and actress by profession, at least before her marriage to Robert Ley, she was much admired by Hitler himself.
She was often seen gracing his side and inner circle at all the finest parties, dinners, parades, and excursions.

It seems there are many rumors surrounding her death, and various dates as to when and how it actually occurred.
Some people have said it was in 1943 when she supposedly threw herself from a window of her and Robert's villa in Berlin.
But most accounts I have found state that her death was in 1942 from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Either one could be true, so I continue to search for an answer.
There are accounts of her attempting suicide on more than one occasion, and it is said at one point, Hitler received a letter from her after one attempt which left him horribly worried and depressed.
It has been said that she was a heavy drinker in the few years before her suicide.
Her marriage to Robert Ley was an unhappy one, who was a known drunkard and womanizer.
The final straw was the battle she lost with depression.
Brought on by complications during the birth of a child, the addictive pain medication prescribed to her in addition to postpartum depression, left her fragile and finally broken.

So, with this journal, I attempt to uncover a little more about her and who she was. Beyond the wife, the caged bird, and the broken doll.
I'll post photos from my own files and any new images I may discover, plus thoughts, musings and research.