Mrs Antoinette Flegenheim: A Titanic Survivor’s Tale

Who was Mrs Antoinette Flegenheim? Born as Berta Antonia Maria Wendt, she was a German-American socialite and Titanic survivor who led a life spanning two continents, marked by wealth, tragedy, and resilience.

Early Life and Immigration

Antoinette Flegenheim was born on May 11, 1863, in Himmelpfort near Berlin, Germany. At the age of 27 (twenty-seven), she made a life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States, arriving in New York City in 1890. This move would set the stage for her future as a prominent figure in both American and European society.

First Marriage

In the same year of her arrival in America, Antoinette married Alfred Flegenheimer. Their union, while childless, lasted for 17 years until Alfred’s untimely death on November 23, 1907, in Manhattan. This marriage likely contributed to Antoinette’s rise in social circles and her eventual status as a wealthy socialite.

A Life of Luxury

Following her first husband’s passing, Mrs. Flegenheim maintained residences in two of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities:

Manhattan, New York City
Berlin-Charlottenburg (Windscheidstr. 41), Germany

Her ability to maintain homes in both locations speaks volumes about her financial status and her penchant for a transatlantic lifestyle.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

In April 1912, at the age of 48 (forty-eight), Mrs. Flegenheim boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger. Her ticket details reveal the luxury afforded to first-class travelers:

Ticket Number: PC 17598
Fare: £31, 13s, 8d (equivalent to approximately £3,700 in 2023)

Survival and Rescue

When disaster struck on April 14, 1912, Antoinette Flegenheim was among the fortunate survivors. She was rescued in lifeboat 7, one of the first lifeboats to be launched from the sinking ship. This early evacuation likely contributed to her survival, as later lifeboats faced more chaotic conditions.

Life After the Titanic

Second Marriage

Remarkably, just two months after the Titanic disaster, on June 20, 1912, Antoinette married Paul Elliot White-Hurst in Buffalo, New York. This quick remarriage suggests a desire for stability or perhaps a connection forged through the shared trauma of the Titanic experience. White-Hurst was a British subject, adding another international dimension to Antoinette’s life.

World War I and Beyond

The outbreak of World War I found the couple living in England. However, as the war progressed, Antoinette’s life took another turn:

She relocated to The Hague, Netherlands, possibly separated from her second husband
After the war, she moved to Munich, Germany (Nibelungenstr. 90, now Arnulfstr. 300)

These moves during tumultuous times in European history highlight Antoinette’s adaptability and her continued connection to her German roots.

Final Years and Legacy

Mrs. Antoinette Flegenheim passed away on April 8, 1943, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, at the age of 79 (seventy-nine). She was laid to rest under the name Antoinette White Hurst in the Hauptfriedhof Frankfurt am Main, Stadtkreis Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany.

A Life of Transitions

Antoinette’s life was characterized by significant transitions:

From Germany to America
From wealth to tragedy on the Titanic
From widowhood to remarriage
From America back to Europe

Her story serves as a testament to the resilience of Titanic survivors and the complex lives of early 20th-century socialites navigating a world of rapid change and global conflict.

Antoinette Flegenheim’s journey from a German-born immigrant to a Titanic survivor and international socialite encapsulates the dramatic societal shifts of her time. Her grave, though no longer present, once stood as a silent witness to an extraordinary life that spanned continents, survived disaster, and weathered the storms of two world wars.