Maria von Trapp: last member of family group that inspired Sound of Music dies

Family escaped Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 and won acclaim throughout Europe for their singing

The last surviving member of the famous Trapp Family Singers made famous in The Sound of Music died this week at her home in Vermont was 99.

Von Trapp's brother, Johannes von Trapp, says that she died on Tuesday. He called her a "lovely woman who was one of the few truly good people".

The family won acclaim throughout Europe for their singing and escaped from Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938. Their story was turned into the film and Broadway musical. Maria von Trapp is the second youngest girl and was portrayed as Louisa in The Sound of Music.

They moved to Vermont in 1942 after visiting during a singing tour and holidaying in Stowe. The family opened and still operates a lodge there.

• Austria


• Europe

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