The death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on December 5, 1791, is one of history’s most debated and speculated-upon events. His passing at the young age of 35 has kept the question “was he poisoned?” alive for centuries, yet medical facts point to a different picture.
Here are the facts and prominent theories regarding Mozart’s death:
Facts and Prominent Theories Regarding Mozart’s Death
1. Official Records and Illness Process
In the final weeks of his life, Mozart suffered from severe joint pain, swelling (edema), and vomiting. He became bedridden on November 20, 1791, and passed away approximately 15 days later after losing consciousness. The official death record of the time listed the cause as “hitziges Frieselfieber” (severe millet fever/rash fever). This description, in modern terms, was not a specific medical diagnosis but rather a term used to describe common symptoms of the era.
2. Medical Theories
Modern medical science, analyzing Mozart’s symptoms, focuses on the following possibilities:
- Rheumatic Fever: Known to have suffered from this disease since childhood, the strongest theory is that Mozart died as a result of a recurrence of this illness due to the collapse of his immune system.
- Kidney Failure: The excessive swelling (edema) in his body is significant evidence that his kidneys failed.
- Streptococcal Infection: According to a comprehensive study conducted in 2009, a streptococcal infection, which was an epidemic in Vienna at the time, and the associated kidney inflammation could have been the cause of death.
3. Conspiracy Theories: Antonio Salieri and Poisoning
Immediately after his death, claims of him being “poisoned” emerged. Especially the allegation popularized by the 1984 film Amadeus that Antonio Salieri poisoned him out of jealousy is a fiction rather than a historical reality. Although there was rivalry between Salieri and Mozart, they respected each other.
- His Own Suspicion: Mozart himself is said to have told his wife, Constanze, “Someone gave me ‘Aqua Tofana‘ (a popular poison at the time),” but this likely stemmed from delusions caused by his illness.
4. Requiem and Death Obsession
The commission for the Requiem (Lament) composition, received anonymously just before his death, deeply disturbed Mozart psychologically. He began to believe he was writing this piece for his own funeral. He died before completing the work, and the remaining parts were finished by his student, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.
5. The “Poor Man’s Grave” Issue
It is often said that Mozart was thrown into a pauper’s grave, but this is not entirely accurate. According to Emperor Joseph II’s austerity laws of the period, it was compulsory for everyone not of noble birth to be buried in common graves. His grave was not opulent, and no tombstone was erected, which is why its exact location is not definitively known today.
In summary; Mozart was not a victim of murder, but likely died as a result of a combination of health problems dating back to his childhood and the inadequate medical interventions available at the time.