Later Life
In the same year that she lost her legal struggle, Johanna gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, who was named Ludovika Johanna, born 12 June 1820. A wealthy bell-founder named Johann Kaspar Hofbauer (c. 1771–1839) acknowledged himself as the father and provided some financial support.
In 1824, Johanna asked Beethoven for financial help. The composer did not dig into his own pocket, but he agreed to return to Johanna the half of her widow's pension that had been devoted to the education of Karl.
Beethoven died in 1827. Karl, who was the composer's sole heir, had not yet reached majority and came under the guardianship of Johanna's relative Jakob Hotschevar, who had served as her legal counsel in the custody case
Johanna van Beethoven long outlived her brother-in-law and died in 1869.
Read more about this topic: Johanna Van Beethoven
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