Photo: Gregorcollins / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Maria Altmann was an art collector, born on February 18, 1916 in Vienna, Austria. Death is recorded on February 7, 2011, at the age of 94. Maria Altmann was associated with Republic of Austria v. Altmann.
My Take
Maria Altmann's story humbles me. Forced to flee Vienna after the Nazi annexation, she spent her later years waging a legal battle against the Austrian state to recover five Klimt paintings stolen from her family. Winning that fight, immortalised in film, took extraordinary persistence well into old age. I am drawn less to the label of art collector than to what she represents: one person insisting that history and memory be set right, no matter how powerful the opponent. Her quiet, stubborn pursuit of justice is genuinely inspiring.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Maria Altmann
- Name (Japanese)
- マリア・アルトマン
- Reading
- まりあ・あるとまん
- Born
- February 18, 1916 – February 7, 2011
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Dragon
- Origin
- Vienna, Austria
- Occupation
- art collector
2. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Republic of Austria v. Altmann | — |
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria%20Altmann
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q85048
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Maria Altmann born?
Born February 18, 1916.
When did Maria Altmann die?
Died February 7, 2011, aged 94.
Where was Maria Altmann from?
Maria Altmann was from Vienna, Austria.
What did Maria Altmann do?
Maria Altmann worked as art collector.
What was Maria Altmann known for?
Notable works include Republic of Austria v. Altmann.