Reconnecting After Half a Century
Munich - As youngsters, they were inseparable. Then, a fateful decision tore them apart.
That was back in 1973!
For half a century, ex-OB, Christian Ude (76), and his sister Karin Blumöhr (82), were estranged. They met only on rare occasions - at cultural events, political gatherings, or major family occasions. No regular interaction or mutual visits took place.
Objections to Christian's Love
When Christian Ude ended his engagement with Cordula von Godin (78), granddaughter of Sergeant Major Michael von Godin (†85), who led the Bavarian state police in crushing the Hitler putsch in 1923, and chose a life with Edith von Welser, a married mother of six, with whom he had fallen in love at a carnival party.
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Karin Blumöhr disapproved of the union with a married woman for moral reasons. She felt sympathetic towards her abandoned fiancé, a woman she knew well and liked dearly.
Hidden Truths
Christian Ude felt deeply hurt by his sister's reaction and remained loyal to Edith. Fortunately, their parents had no qualms with their unconventional relationship.
Unbeknownst to Karin, both her brother's relationship with Edith and the latter's marriage had already come to an end. They had merely not formally separated at the time.
Overcoming the Divide
Fifty years later, Karin agreed to talk to her brother. They sat together in the Udes' Schwabing living room, laughing and sharing memories. Edith von Welser-Ude (84) was also present. The siblings were starting a new chapter in their lives.
Karin admitted, "I was afraid of losing my brother. I knew his life with Edith would be so different that he'd become a stranger to me. I exaggerated my anger and resentment."
Regrets and Recriminations
Christian reflected, "I was hurt. My sister was my companion in childhood and youth. I cherished her companionship on art trips to Venice, Amsterdam, and Brussels. It all ended abruptly. There was a loyalty problem. I couldn't remain loyal to both my sister and my wife."
A Joyful Union
Today, everyone is delighted with their renewed bond. Christian is grateful, and he believes their parents would be too, having always longed for their reconciliation. "We never understood your estrangement," they would have said, "always striving to bring you two back together."
In Munich, SPD Mayor Franziska von Mutius hosted an event that Karin Blumöhr attended, showing her support for the party.
As the Ude family gathered for a photo in Munich, the brothers' deep affection for each other was evident in their embrace.
