Bertha Benz

Family Member

Birthday May 3, 1849

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Pforzheim, Germany

DEATH DATE May 5, 1944 (95)

#45638 Most Popular

About

German woman widely remembered for being the wife of Karl Benz, who is credited with inventing the first modern automobile. In August 1888, she became the first person ever to successfully drive cross-country, making the 66-mile drive from Mannheim to Pforzheim.

Before Fame

She was born in Pforzheim and enabled her husband to invent the automobile by investing in his workshop.

Trivia

During her famous cross-country journey, she repaired her own brakes and in the process invented brake lining.

Family Life

She had sons named Richard and Eugen.

Associated With

Her husband, Karl Benz, created the first automobile to be powered by an internal combustion engine.