Albert Einstein’s Personal Life Is Now An Open Secret

Letters written by Albert Einstein to his family have shed light on the scientist’s personal life, including a string of extramarital affairs. says the BBC.

The German-born scientist travelled extensively and wrote hundreds of letters to his family, unsealed by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Monday. The letters shed new light on the personal life of one of the 20th century’s greatest intellects.

The more than 3,500 pages of correspondence were written between 1912 and 1955, the year Einstein died. Among the revelations: Einstein lost much of his Nobel Prize money in the Great Depression, was a more devoted father than previously thought and made no bones about discussing his romantic liaisons with his second wife.

Einstein is known to have had 10 lovers, in addition to the two women he married after affairs with them.

Nobel-laureate Einstein was one of the founders of the Hebrew University and he bequeathed it his literary estate and personal papers. The university also has licensing rights to the scientist’s image, voice and quotes.

Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund, a former Hebrew University president and physicist, said those rights have been worth an estimated $1 million US a year to the school over the last 15 years.

Letters reveal relative truth of Einstein’s family life. Documents show 20th century giant was generous, affectionate – and adulterous, says Alok Jha in The Guardian. New letters challenge his reputation as cold towards his family.

Einstein with second wife Elsa and stepdaughter Margot(Click to enlarge)

“He was the 20th century’s greatest scientist, his name synonymous with genius. But while Albert Einstein’s theories are known and lauded the world over, insights into his private life are patchy and largely negative. He has been variously portrayed as a bad father, cruel to his wives and an adulterer. But that view could now change.”