Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher

Who was Miss Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher?

Miss Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher, affectionately known as “Mädi,” was a 22 (twenty-two) year-old Swiss first-class passenger and survivor of the RMS Titanic. Born into a prominent family in Zürich, Switzerland, she embarked on a journey that would not only change her life but also intertwine her story with one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Early Life and Family

Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher was born on August 13, 1889, in Zürich, Switzerland. She was the daughter of Maximilian Josef Frölicher-Stehli and Margaretha Emerentia Frölicher-Stehli, members of a well-to-do Swiss family. The Frölichers resided at “Villa Riesmatt,” a stately home located at 6 Mittelstrasse in the Riesbach district of Zürich, indicating their social standing within the community.

Education and Early Career

What was Hedwig’s educational background?

Hedwig completed her education in early 1912, just months before her fateful voyage on the Titanic. Her graduation marked a significant milestone in her life, setting the stage for what was to be an exciting new chapter in America.

The Titanic Journey

How did Hedwig come to be on the Titanic?

Miss Frölicher boarded the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France, accompanied by her parents. This voyage was not merely a leisure trip; it held the promise of a new beginning and a potential matrimonial alliance.

Key details of Hedwig’s Titanic voyage:

Ticket Number: 13568
Ticket Price: £49 10s (equivalent to 1,310 Swiss Francs)
Cabin: B-39
Class: First Class

What was Hedwig’s experience during the Titanic’s ill-fated journey?

Hedwig’s journey on the Titanic was marked by both discomfort and drama. She suffered from seasickness during the night of April 11-12, which persisted until the fateful Sunday night. When the ship collided with the iceberg, Hedwig was awakened by the impact. In a display of curiosity and perhaps initial lack of concern, she and her parents dressed and ventured to Deck A to investigate the commotion.

“We then went back to bed. After a while they were told to put on their life-preservers.”

This simple statement encapsulates the rapid shift from curiosity to urgency as the gravity of the situation became apparent.

How did Hedwig survive the sinking?

Hedwig and her parents were fortunate enough to secure places in lifeboat 5. After approximately three and a half hours adrift in the frigid North Atlantic, they were rescued by the RMS Carpathia, which had responded to the Titanic’s distress calls.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Hedwig’s life?

While her parents returned to Switzerland following the disaster, Hedwig chose to remain in New York. This decision would shape the course of her future in profound ways.

Who did Hedwig marry after the Titanic?

On January 4, 1913, less than a year after the Titanic disaster, Hedwig married Robert J. F. Schwarzenbach. Robert, aged 36 at the time, was also of Swiss origin and held the position of managing director at the silk-weaving factory of Schwarzenbach & Huber in New York.

Family Life in America

The newlyweds settled in Jericho, New York, where they started their family. Hedwig and Robert had three children:

A daughter (born 1913)
A son (born 1917)
Another son (born 1918)

Tragedy Strikes Again

Hedwig’s life took another unexpected turn when her husband, Robert, died suddenly on August 3, 1929, in Hicksville, Long Island. At the age of 40, Hedwig found herself a widow with three children to raise.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1931, two years after her husband’s death, Hedwig (now known as Margaritha Schwarzenbach) relocated with her children to South Norwalk, Connecticut. To her American family, she was affectionately known as “Margit.”

Return to Switzerland

In her final years, Hedwig made the decision to return to her roots. She traveled back to Zürich to be near her daughter. It was there, in the city of her birth, that Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher Schwarzenbach passed away on July 16, 1972, at the age of 82 (eighty-two).

She was laid to rest in the family grave at Sihlfeld Cemetery in Zürich, bringing her remarkable life journey full circle.

Hedwig Margaritha Frölicher’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. From surviving one of history’s greatest maritime disasters to building a new life in America and ultimately returning to her Swiss homeland, her life embodied the tumultuous yet inspiring journey of many early 20th-century immigrants.