Rainer Maria Rilke

Date of Birth: December 4, 1875

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 29, 1926

Biography

René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke, better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian-Austrian poet and novelist, widely recognized as one of the most lyrically intense German-language poets. Born in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Rilke’s early life was marked by instability and an unhappy childhood. He initially attended a military academy, which he despised, before studying literature, art history, and philosophy in Prague, Munich, and Berlin. Rilke is best known for his “Duino Elegies” and “Sonnets to Orpheus,” which explore existential themes and the relationship between life and art. His poetry is characterized by its mystical and philosophical nature, and he often delved into complex emotions and the human condition. Throughout his life, Rilke traveled extensively across Europe, often relying on the patronage of wealthy supporters. His profound influence on modern literature continues to be felt today.

5 Interesting Facts about Rainer Maria Rilke

1. Rilke’s mother, Phia Rilke, dressed him as a girl until he was five years old, as she was grieving the loss of her daughter.

2. He served as the private secretary to the sculptor Auguste Rodin, which significantly influenced his writing.

3. Rilke wrote his famous “Duino Elegies” while staying at Duino Castle near Trieste, Italy.

4. He had a brief affair with the artist Lou Andreas-Salomé, who was a muse to several prominent intellectuals, including Friedrich Nietzsche.

5. Rilke’s writing was deeply influenced by his experiences during World War I, although he did not serve in the military.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rainer Maria Rilke

1. “Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.”

2. “The only journey is the one within.”

3. “Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage.”

4. “Live your questions now, and perhaps even without knowing it, you will live along some distant day into your answers.”

5. “I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Rainer Maria Rilke did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime. He relied on the patronage of wealthy benefactors and often struggled financially.