babiana
15.05.07, 15:35
Pilsudzki, his faith and women in his life
Information about Pilsudzki's private life is not all that known to public at
large. His Achille's heel were beautiful women (the attraction was mutual),
and this weakness had implications on his faith.
Pilsudzki was baptized in 1867 in a Roman Catholic Church. He was also raised
in this faith.
There were 5 women in his life;
- During his deportation to Syberia he met Leonarda Lewandowska who was 6
years older. In the beginning they were hiding their relationship but
afterwards they lived together. In 1901 she probably commited suicide (there
are only gossips as to the reason)
- In 1899 Pilsudzki married Maria Juszkiewicz, PPS activist, referred to by
other party members as the "beautiful lady". In order to marry her Pilsudzki
had to change his religion. Juszkiewicz was a member of the Evangelican
Reform Church and a divorcee with a daughter from her previous marriage.
Pilsudzki converted to Protestantism on 24 May, 1899 in Lomza and the marriage
took place that same year in July.
-In May 1906 Pilsudzki met Aleksandra Szczerbinska (Comrade Ola). She was 15
years younger than Pilsudzki. His first wife would not agree to a divorce. The
situation (romance) lasted until his wife's death in 1921. He married
Aleksandra that same year having already returned to the Catholic Church in 1916.
- During a SPA vacation in 1924 in Druskienniki he met doctor Eugenia Lewicka.
She was young, beautiful and intelligent. 27 June, 1931 she died of an
overdose of unknown chemical substances. (again there are gossips about the
reason)
- until recently historians thought that Eugenia was his last great love. But
now we know that the last one was Jadwiga Burhardt, aka Dzidzi. Maybe she was
the reason for the tragic death of Eugenia Lewicka. Letters written by
Pilsudzki to Jadwiga (1931-1934) were discovered. The last one was written on
19 December, 1934, 5 months before his death. Pilsudzki had never divorced his
second wife.They had two daughters together.
Pilsudzki 's heart, according to his will, was placed in the Ostrobramski
Church of St. Teresa in Wilno. It was later placed in his mother's grave at
the Rossa Cemetary in Wilno.
