From deafness to DNA: Beethoven's hidden health struggles uncovered nearly 200 years later VIDEO

Science Alert explores in a new article that nearly two centuries after his death, the health struggles of musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven continue to intrigue researchers. 

From deafness to debilitating abdominal pain, the legendary composer faced a series of mysterious ailments that have long puzzled experts. But in a groundbreaking study, scientists have turned to Beethoven’s own DNA to unravel the secrets of his suffering—offering new insights into his final years and even revealing unexpected family secrets.

On a stormy Monday in March 1827, the world lost one of its greatest musical minds, German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, after a prolonged illness. Bedridden since Christmas, Beethoven struggled with jaundice, swollen limbs, and labored breathing, marking the tragic end of his life at the age of 56.

While sorting through his personal belongings, Beethoven’s associates discovered a document he had written 25 years earlier. In it, Beethoven urged his brothers to publicly disclose details of his condition. It is now well-known that by his mid-40s, Beethoven was nearly completely deaf—a devastating irony for a man whose life was dedicated to music.

Almost two centuries later, a team of researchers set out to uncover the medical mystery behind Beethoven's suffering. Through genetic analysis of authenticated hair samples, they sought to understand his health issues in ways the composer could never have imagined.

"Our primary goal was to shed light on Beethoven's health problems, which famously include progressive hearing loss," said biochemist Johannes Krause from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in 2023, when the findings were unveiled.

Beethoven’s hearing loss, which began in his mid-20s, eventually led to complete deafness by 1818. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of this condition remained unknown, even to his personal physician, Dr. Johann Adam Schmidt.

In addition to hearing loss, Beethoven faced persistent abdominal pain and digestive issues. Six years before his death, signs of liver disease appeared, a condition believed to have contributed to his untimely death. Forensic analysis of a lock of hair previously thought to belong to Beethoven suggested lead poisoning as a potential cause, but new studies from 2023 have ruled out this theory. Instead, the genetic analysis suggests that Beethoven likely died from a hepatitis B infection, exacerbated by his drinking and other health issues.

Despite significant advances, the study left many questions unanswered, particularly about the cause of his gastrointestinal problems and hearing loss. However, one unexpected revelation came from the analysis of the Y chromosome in Beethoven's hair samples. This pointed to the possibility of extramarital affairs in his paternal line, suggesting an extrapair paternity event dating back to the late 1500s.

In the end, Beethoven’s life and death remain shrouded in mystery. His wish for the world to understand his suffering has been fulfilled in ways he could never have imagined, with his secrets preserved in the strands of hair that his friends and associates cut from him after his passing in 1827.

By Naila Huseynova