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Karlheinz Böhm: His last wish stirs everyone to tears

Karlheinz B hm was not only an actor, but also a singer.
Photo: Getty Images

The sad farewell!

He should celebrate his 85th birthday - now there is deep sadness

He loved the people. And she him. Karlheinz Böhm (84) found his meaning in the big, sad eyes of the children of Ethiopia. He made the children laugh, gave them a future. And in all our eyes he conjured up a light with "Sissi". So we will keep him in the heart.

For the great Karlheinz Böhm is no more. He quietly said goodbye to another world. The world star knew he did not have much time left. And he tried to regulate as much as possible before the impenetrable veil of forgetfulness settled over his mind.

"My father has severe Alzheimer's and can not comment anymore, " revealed his eldest son Michael Böhm (52). The world star has even chosen his grave - it's in the beautiful Erer Valley, the place in Ethiopia he loved most. His last wish: "Keep me in mind as I used to be!"

Karlheinz Böhm had understood long before his friends and companions, perhaps also in front of his family, what a difficult road ahead lay. And his decision to walk him - out of respect for his loved ones - completely shielded, now stirs all to tears. Few should experience him as he is now: emaciated and weak. He is almost silent, barely able to walk. A heavy nursing case, as we learned from the family environment. Three carers share care around the clock.

His wife Almaz (48) revealed that he was in the hospital last year because of severe pneumonia. She herself still cares about the life's work of her husband, the Ethiopia Foundation "Menschen für Menschen", on the road. What many familiar Böhms hard to understand.

What hardly anyone knows: Böhm is also seriously ill with heart disease, has a pacemaker. And: It is said that he also shows Parkinson's symptoms, is underweight and suffer in phases from lack of fluid (dehydration). He should also have been in the hospital because of that.

Why does Karlheinz Böhm have to suffer that way? In Grödig, his home town near Salzburg, there is deep sadness. Mayor Richard Hemetsberger last saw the actor in August 2012. On his 85th birthday on March 16, Grödig Karlheinz Böhm wanted to celebrate duly. "But, as bad as he is with each other, that's hard to imagine, " says Margot Matzer from the Sankt Leonharder Trachtenverein.

Even the local council has dealt with the sad topic. You want to vote with the family. Böhm is the proud father of seven children out of his four marriages. His youngest with wifes Almaz, Aida (19) and Nicolas (22) have the closest contact to him. The relationship between the other children and Almaz seems fragile. Son Michael does not understand why she kept her husband's illness secret from the public. She had to promise her husband, Almaz Böhm justifies. "And I keep that promise ."

Hopefully, all the children could accompany their father a little bit on his sad path. His heart will never forget her.

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