Harry Houdini Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Awards, Death, Films

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz, is an escapologist and illusionist who rose to prominence in the early 20th century and is renowned for his daring feats.

His performances, such as the Chinese Water Torture Cell, where he was suspended upside down in a locked glass cabinet filled with water, captivated audiences and solidified his reputation as a master escape artist.

Beyond the stage, Houdini was also known for his efforts to debunk spiritualists, exposing fraudulent practices and challenging claims of supernatural abilities.

Profile

• Full name: Erik Weisz (later spelled Ehrich Weiss)
• Nickname: Harry Houdini
• Date of birth: March 24, 1874
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Budapest, Hungary
• Nationality: Hungarian-American
• Profession: Magician, escapologist, illusionist, stunt performer, actor, author
• Height: Approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
• Parents: Father: Mayer Samuel Weiss; Mother: Cecelia Steiner
• Siblings: Five brothers and one sister
• Spouse: Wilhelmina Beatrice “Bess” Rahner
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Married (until he died in 1926)
• Religion: Judaism
• Ethnicity: Jewish
• Net worth: Approximately $500,000 at the time of his death in 1926 (equivalent to about $8.8 million today)

Early Life and Education

Harry Houdini would be 151 years old posthumously as of 2025. He was born on March 24, 1874, in Budapest, Hungary, to Mayer Samuel Weiss, a rabbi, and Cecelia Steiner. In 1878, the family emigrated to the United States, settling in Appleton, Wisconsin, where Mayer served as the town’s first rabbi.

Houdini was one of seven children, with five brothers and one sister. The family later moved to Milwaukee and then to New York City. Houdini’s formal education was limited; he left school at a young age to help support his family. Despite this, he was an avid reader and self-educated, particularly in the history and techniques of magic.

Personal Life

In 1894, Harry Houdini married Wilhelmina Beatrice “Bess” Rahner, a fellow performer he met while working in vaudeville. Bess became his stage assistant and lifelong partner, accompanying him on tours and performances. The couple did not have any children. Their marriage was marked by mutual support and collaboration, both professionally and personally.

Career

Harry Houdini began his career in the late 19th century, performing in dime museums and sideshows before gaining fame for his escape acts. He specialized in escaping from handcuffs, straitjackets, and locked containers, often under dramatic circumstances.

His performances included the Milk Can Escape and the Chinese Water Torture Cell, which garnered widespread attention and acclaim. Houdini also ventured into film, starring in and producing several silent films through his own company, the Houdini Picture Corporation.

Additionally, he was a prolific author, writing books and articles on magic, spiritualism, and his own experiences. In the 1920s, Houdini became a prominent skeptic of spiritualism, dedicating significant effort to exposing fraudulent mediums and psychics.

Awards

• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1975)

Net Worth

Harry Houdini’s net worth at the time of his death in 1926 was approximately $500,000, equivalent to about $8.8 million today. He amassed his wealth through his successful career as a magician, escape artist, actor, and author.

Death

Harry Houdini died on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 52. The official cause of death was peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix.

Before his death, Houdini had been punched in the abdomen by a college student testing his claim of withstanding blows to the stomach, which may have exacerbated his condition.

Social Media

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Filmography

• The Master Mystery (1919)
• The Grim Game (1919)
• Terror Island (1920)
• The Man from Beyond (1922)
• Haldane of the Secret Service (1923)

Books

• The Right Way to Do Wrong
• A Magician Among the Spirits
• Houdini’s Paper Magic
• Miracle Mongers and Their Methods
• Houdini on Magic