Annaliese Witschak was the first wife of George Soros. She was born in Germany and later moved to New York. Her life included war, loss, family, music, and public service.

She did not seek fame. Much of her life stayed outside the media. Still, her work in music and the arts earned respect.

She also raised three children with Soros. They are Robert Soros, Andrea Soros Colombel, and Jonathan Soros. Each later built a public career.

Quick Bio

Early Life in Germany

Annaliese Witschak was born on January 3, 1934. Her birthplace was Verden an der Aller in Germany. Her early years were shaped by family loss.

Her father, Walter Witschak, died in 1937. Her mother then moved the family to Neuenkirchen bei Soltau. She worked hard to support her children.

World War II made life even harder. Work, school, and music became part of daily life. Music gave Annaliese comfort during those years.

Her mother also did bookkeeping work. She wrote some poems and articles for a local paper. That example showed Annaliese the value of steady work.

How Did She Lose Her Family?

Loss returned when she was still a teenager. At age sixteen, her mother died. Her only brother, Hans, also died within six months.

Those deaths left her without her closest family. She had to become independent at a young age. That change shaped the next part of her life.

She still wanted an education. She did not have enough money for university. So she chose secretarial training and prepared for work.

This choice gave her useful job skills. She could start earning money much sooner. Those skills later helped her in Germany and New York.

Work and Move to New York

After training, Annaliese moved to Hamburg. She worked in office jobs there. Her employers included a publishing business and Shell Oil.

In 1955, she moved to New York City. She found work as a secretary and keypunch operator. New York soon became her long term home.

The move gave her a fresh start. She built a new social life and found steady work. It also led to a key meeting in her life.

New York gave her more access to music too. Concerts and opera later became major interests. The city remained her main home for decades.

How Did She Meet George Soros?

Annaliese met George Soros in New York in 1957. Soros had also started a new life in America. Both knew what it meant to leave Europe.

The couple married on September 17, 1960. They first lived in Greenwich Village. Later, they moved to Central Park West.

Soros was building his career in finance. Annaliese focused on family life and their home. She also built a wide circle of friends.

Their shared European past was part of their bond. Soros had also lived through the war years. Both had started new lives far from Europe.

Marriage and Family Life

The marriage lasted for more than two decades. During that time, the couple had three children. Family life became a major part of Annaliese’s world.

Their first child, Robert Daniel Soros, was born in 1963. Their daughter, Andrea Soros Colombel, was born in 1965. Their youngest son, Jonathan Tivadar Soros, was born in 1970.

The family often welcomed guests into their home. Writers, thinkers, and people from the arts visited. Annaliese became known as a skilled host.

She taught herself to cook for these gatherings. Meals often brought people together in the family home. Her interest in hosting later inspired a book.

Her Three Children

Annaliese raised Robert, Andrea, and Jonathan in New York. The children later entered public work. Their careers covered finance, business, and charity.

Robert Soros became a senior figure at Soros Fund Management. He later founded Soros Capital Management. His career has focused on finance and investment.

Andrea Soros Colombel founded the Trace Foundation in 1993. The group supports work linked to Tibetan communities. Her career has focused mainly on giving and social causes.

Jonathan Soros also built a career in business and investment. All three children later became known in their own fields. They remain part of the wider Soros family story.

Why Did She and George Soros Divorce?

The couple separated in 1977. Their divorce was completed in 1983. The split ended a marriage that began in 1960.

Public records do not show a long media battle. Annaliese did not build a public image around the divorce. She kept the matter outside the spotlight.

After the divorce, she did not remarry. She spent more time with family and friends. Music, travel, and the arts also filled her life.

Her bond with her children stayed important. Her later years were not built around fame. She chose a much quieter public role.

Life After the Divorce

After the marriage ended, Annaliese built her own routine. She traveled often and kept close ties with friends. Music stayed at the center of her life.

She attended concerts and opera in New York. She also gave support to young performers. Her help went beyond buying tickets.

She often welcomed artists into her home. She helped some before major performances. This support became a key part of her arts work.

Travel also filled part of her time. Some trips included music events, hiking, or cycling. These activities gave her a full life outside the press.

A Lifelong Love of Music

Music had been part of her life since childhood. A teacher encouraged her to sing in a chorus. She also learned to play the piano.

At fifteen, she attended an opera in Hanover. The event stayed with her for many years. Classical music later became one of her strongest interests.

She stopped playing piano after her mother died. Yet her love for music did not end. Opera and live concerts stayed important to her.

In New York, she often visited Carnegie Hall. She also attended the Metropolitan Opera. These places linked her with musicians and music groups.

Her Work With Young Concert Artists

Annaliese became closely linked with Young Concert Artists. The nonprofit group helps young classical musicians. She served on its board for more than forty years.

Her support was practical and personal. She helped artists with housing and concerts. She also gave support during key career moments.

The group later honored her through the Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Program. The program was endowed in 2004. It supports young musicians and music education.

Her long service showed her interest in new talent. She did not only support famous artists. She helped young performers build their careers.

Pianofest and Southampton Arts Work

She helped launch the Southampton Performing Arts festival in 1981. The event brought classical music to Southampton, New York. She had a summer home in the area.

In the early 1990s, she joined Pianofest in the Hamptons. The program helps young pianists study and perform. She stayed linked with it for many years.

Her work followed one clear idea. She wanted young artists to have real chances. She gave them time, support, and room to grow.

She remained close to Pianofest for the rest of her life. Her name later appeared among its late trustees emeriti. This reflected her long service to the program.

Her Work as an Author

Annaliese also became a published author. In 2007, she worked with Abigail Stokes on a book. It was called Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe.

Harry N. Abrams published the book. It shared funny stories about meals that went wrong. It also gave ideas for handling awkward moments.

The topic matched Annaliese’s social life. She had spent years hosting family and friends. Artists, writers, and thinkers had also visited her home.

The book showed a lighter side of her interests. It focused on food, guests, and unexpected problems. These were subjects she knew through years of hosting.

Later Years and Berlin

Germany remained part of her life. She rented an apartment in Berlin and visited often. Music was one main reason for those trips.

Berlin offered many concerts and opera shows. That made the city a good match for her interests. It also kept her close to her German roots.

She often spent longer periods in Berlin. Her visits allowed her to enjoy its music scene. They also kept Germany part of her later life.

Her final trip to Berlin came in 2024. She went there around her ninetieth birthday. The visit linked her later years with her place of birth.

Death and Legacy

Annaliese Witschak died on September 5, 2025. She was 91 years old. Her family obituary said she died of natural causes.

She was survived by her three children. Their families were also part of her life. Her obituary noted that she had nine grandchildren.

Family and close friends were central to her story. Music was another lasting part of her life. She spent decades helping young musicians.

Her arts work also left a clear mark. Young Concert Artists remembered her long service. Pianofest in the Hamptons also honored her connection to music.

Key Facts

• Born on January 3, 1934, in Verden an der Aller, Germany.
• Lost her father, Walter Witschak, in 1937.
• Lost her mother and only brother at age sixteen.
• Trained for secretarial work in Germany.
• Worked in publishing and later at Shell Oil.
• Moved to New York City in 1955.
• Met George Soros in 1957.
• Married George Soros on September 17, 1960.
• Raised three children with George Soros.
• Separated from Soros in 1977.
• Divorced in 1983.
• Served Young Concert Artists for more than forty years.
• Coauthored Dinner Party Disasters in 2007.
• Died of natural causes on September 5, 2025.

FAQ’s

Who was Annaliese Witschak?

Annaliese Witschak was the first wife of George Soros. She was also a mother, author, and arts patron. She spent many years supporting young classical musicians.

When did Annaliese Witschak marry George Soros?

She married George Soros on September 17, 1960. They had met in New York in 1957. The couple later had three children.

How many children did she have?

She had three children with George Soros. They are Robert Soros, Andrea Soros Colombel, and Jonathan Soros. Each later built a public career.

What did she do for music?

She supported Young Concert Artists for more than forty years. She also worked with Pianofest in the Hamptons. Much of her support focused on young musicians.

When did Annaliese Witschak die?

Annaliese Witschak died on September 5, 2025. She was 91 years old. Her family obituary said she died of natural causes.