Minna Planer

Who was Minna Planer?

Christine Wilhelmine "Minna" Planer was a German actress and the first wife of composer Richard Wagner, to whom she was married for 30 years, although for the last 10 years they often lived apart. Seduced at an early age by an Royal Saxon Army officer, she had an illegitimate daughter, who was brought up as her sister. After a stormy courtship, which involved infidelities on both sides, she married Richard Wagner in 1836.

In the early years Minna was the main wage earner in the household, having a successful career as a young dramatic heroine, where she drew applause for her abilities on stage as well as winning admirers for her beauty. She shared in many of the escapades of Wagner's life, including a perilous sea voyage to London, poverty in Paris, and following him around Europe after his involvement in the Dresden uprising of 1849, which led to his banishment from Germany.

After Wagner's affair with Mathilde Wesendonck in 1857, Minna mostly lived apart from him. In later years she developed a heart condition that was ultimately to claim her life.