Sigmund Freud Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children, Wife, Death

Sigismund Schlomo Freud, widely known as Sigmund Freud, was an Austrian neurologist renowned for founding psychoanalysis, a groundbreaking clinical method for treating psychological disorders through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst.

His pioneering work significantly shaped modern psychology, particularly through his influential theories on the structure of the human psyche, comprising the id, ego, and superego.

Freud also introduced key psychological concepts such as the Oedipus complex, repression, defense mechanisms, and the stages of psychosexual development, all of which have had a lasting impact on both clinical practice and theoretical psychology.

Profile

• Full Name: Sigismund Schlomo Freud
• Stage Name: Sigmund Freud
• Born: May 6, 1856
• Died: September 23, 1939  
• Age: 83 years old
• Birthplace: Příbor, Czechia
• Nationality: Austrian
• Occupation: Austrian neurologist
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Jakob Freud and Amalia Nathansohn
• Siblings: Anna, Rosa, Marie, Adolfine, Paula, Alexander, and Julius
• Spouse: Martha Bernays (m. 1886–1939)
• Children: Anna Freud, Ernst L. Freud, Sophie Freud, Martin Freud, Mathilde Freud, and Oliver Freud
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million

Early Life And Education

Sigismund Schlomo Freud was born on May 6, 1856, in Freiberg, Moravia (now Příbor, Czech Republic), then part of the Austrian Empire. He was the first of eight children born to Jakob Freud, a wool merchant from Galicia, and his third wife, Amalia Nathansohn, who was 20 years younger than Jakob.

Freud also had two older half-brothers, Emanuel and Philipp, from his father’s previous marriage. Among his siblings were Anna, Rosa, Marie, Adolfine, Paula, Alexander, and Julius, who died in infancy.

Coming from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, Freud entered the University of Vienna in 1873 and earned his medical degree in 1881. He initially focused on biology and physiology before specializing in neurology.

Career

Sigmund Freud quickly distinguished himself academically and developed a strong interest in literature and philosophy. This vibrant intellectual atmosphere in Vienna later served as the foundation for his revolutionary contributions to medicine and psychology.

In 1873, Freud enrolled at the University of Vienna to study medicine and soon began conducting neurological research at Ernst Brücke’s Institute of Physiology.

By 1881, Freud had earned his medical degree and began clinical work at the General Hospital in Vienna, gaining experience in various medical disciplines. During this time, he conducted studies on the nervous system and experimented with the medical application of cocaine as a local anesthetic.

In 1885, a significant turning point came when Freud studied under Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris, whose pioneering work with hypnosis and hysteria deeply influenced Freud’s thinking about the psychological origins of neurological symptoms.

Upon returning to Vienna, Freud opened a private practice focused on nervous disorders and began using hypnosis in treatment. His collaboration with Josef Breuer in the 1890s led to the development of the “talking cure,” a method for treating hysteria by uncovering unconscious thoughts.

Their work culminated in the 1895 publication Studies on Hysteria, which introduced the idea that unconscious mental processes could manifest as physical symptoms. By 1896, Freud had coined “psychoanalysis” and embarked on a self-analysis that would shape many of his foundational theories.

Social Media

Sigmund Freud does not have social media accounts.

Personal Life

Sigmund Freud married Martha Bernays on September 14, 1886, in Hamburg, following a four-year engagement marked by affectionate correspondence. Their marriage lasted 53 years, during which Martha remained a steadfast supporter of Freud’s work and health.

Together, they had six children: Mathilde, Jean-Martin, Oliver, Ernst, Sophie, and Anna, who later became a prominent psychoanalyst in her own right. Freud passed away on September 23, 1939, in London, while Martha survived him by over a decade, passing away in 1951.

Net Worth

Sigmund Freud’s net Worth at the time of his death is estimated at around $1–5 million today. His income came primarily from his private practice, book royalties, and lecture fees. Though his financial success was moderate, his intellectual legacy remains unparalleled.