January 26th: Maria von Trapp's birthday

The character of Maria in The Sound of Music was based on a real person - Maria von Trapp, who would have been 109 today. Here are 10 things you may not know about the real Maria von Trapp and her family.

1. Maria von Trapp was born in 1905, on a train bound for Vienna from her mother's home in the Tyrol, Austria.
2. Her maiden name was Kutschera, not Rainer as in the musical's script.
3. Her mother died soon after she was born, and her father when she was 6. Her guardian was violently opposed to the Catholic church, so although she had been baptized, grew up largely without any religious instruction until deciding to enter a convent at 18. Her upbringing was no doubt responsible for her "How do you solve a problem like Maria" behaviour as a novice!
4. Baron Georg von Trapp was a World War I submarine commander, and in real life he had a moustache.
5. Her assignment as governess to the family was meant to last nine months, and then she was expected to return to the convent and take the veil. However, by then, the Baron had proposed marriage, and Maria had to decide between marriage and her religious vocation. She chose marriage, although in her autobiography she reveals that she was really committed to becoming a nun, but her abbess believed it was God's will that she married. She also wrote that she was not in love with the Captain - she liked him, but loved the children more. She only came to love the Captain after they were married.
6. After their escape from Austria, the family went to New York, their passage paid for by their concert manager. They made their home in Stowe, Vermont, because it reminded them of Austria.
7. The Vermont home is now a holiday resort which is still managed by the family. It is possible to stay there on holiday and enjoy such activities as Cross Country Skiing, Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, History Tours, Yoga, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Bird Watching and Concerts in the meadow.
8. Although the von Trapps were happy to have their story told in The Sound of Music, they asked for the children's names to be changed to protect their privacy. Friedrich, Liesl, Louisa, Kurt, Brigitta, Marta, and Gretl were, in real life, called Rupert, Agathe, Maria, Werner, Hedwig, Johanna and Martina. Maria had three children of her own, Rosemarie, Eleanor and Johannes, half-siblings to the ones featured in the film.
9. When applying for US citizenship, Maria von Trapp, under oath, stated that her wedding to Georg took place on 26 November 1927 and their first child was born on 8 February 1928 - meaning she would have been pregnant when she married. However, the family dispute this, and in her autobiography, she herself gives the year 1929.
10. After the singing group disbanded in 1957, Maria returned to her religious vocation and became a missionary in the South Pacific, as did three of her children.