Ellen Preis
Encyclopedia
Ellen Müller-Preis, née Preis, (May 6, 1912 – November 18, 2007) was an Austrian foil
fencer
. She was born in Berlin, Germany.
In 1949, she was named Austrian female athlete of the year.
at the age of 18, and began receiving fencing instruction from her aunt. In under two years she came in third in the European Championship
s in Vienna. She later married Dr. Müller and had two sons and a daughter, who died from whooping cough.
At one point, Prof. Müller-Preis was credited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the female with the longest Olympic span of any woman, competing from 1932 until 1956. The record has since been broken. Two Olympic Games were cancelled at that time due to World War II, 1940 and 1944.
but was rejected by the German Federation. She then fenced in those Olympics for Austria, beating Heather "Judy" Guinness of England for the gold medal
. At both the 1936 Berlin Olympics
and the 1948 London Olympics
, she won bronze medals. She was one of a number of Jewish athletes who won medals at the Nazi Olympics in Berlin in 1936.
In 1956, 44 years old, she made it to the final round at the Melbourne Olympics
, and came in seventh.
After retiring she remained active as Professor Emeritus of the Universität für Musik and darstellende Kunst (University for Music and Performing Arts) in Vienna
, and coaching the Openstudio of the Vienna Staatsoper and the Burgtheater
, working together with directors, singers, and actors, and helping ensure that fencing performed in plays was properly done.
Ellen Müller-Preis died on November 18, 2007, in Vienna of kidney failure.
Foil (fencing)
A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing. It is the most common weapon in terms of usage in competition, and is usually the choice for elementary classes for fencing in general.- Components:...
fencer
Fencing
Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games...
. She was born in Berlin, Germany.
In 1949, she was named Austrian female athlete of the year.
Fencing career
Preis, Jewish and born in Berlin, moved to ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
at the age of 18, and began receiving fencing instruction from her aunt. In under two years she came in third in the European Championship
FIE World Championships in Fencing
The World Championships in Fencing is an annual competition organized by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime or FIE, . The world championships are, after the Olympic Games, the most prominent international competition in the sport of fencing...
s in Vienna. She later married Dr. Müller and had two sons and a daughter, who died from whooping cough.
World and National Championships
She won three world championships (1947, 1949, and 1950) and numerous national Austrian titles (17). In 1949 Müller-Preis was named the first ever "Austrian Female Athlete of the Year."At one point, Prof. Müller-Preis was credited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the female with the longest Olympic span of any woman, competing from 1932 until 1956. The record has since been broken. Two Olympic Games were cancelled at that time due to World War II, 1940 and 1944.
Olympics
As a German/Austrian dual citizen, she wanted to fence for Germany in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
but was rejected by the German Federation. She then fenced in those Olympics for Austria, beating Heather "Judy" Guinness of England for the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
. At both the 1936 Berlin Olympics
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
and the 1948 London Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
, she won bronze medals. She was one of a number of Jewish athletes who won medals at the Nazi Olympics in Berlin in 1936.
In 1956, 44 years old, she made it to the final round at the Melbourne Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
, and came in seventh.
Later life
Preis became involved in music, and developed a breathing and movement technique that maximizes energy, frees the body of tensions, and lets the voice float freely.After retiring she remained active as Professor Emeritus of the Universität für Musik and darstellende Kunst (University for Music and Performing Arts) in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, and coaching the Openstudio of the Vienna Staatsoper and the Burgtheater
Burgtheater
The Burgtheater , originally known as K.K. Theater an der Burg, then until 1918 as the K.K. Hofburgtheater, is the Austrian National Theatre in Vienna and one of the most important German language theatres in the world.The Burgtheater was created in 1741 and has become known as "die Burg" by the...
, working together with directors, singers, and actors, and helping ensure that fencing performed in plays was properly done.
Ellen Müller-Preis died on November 18, 2007, in Vienna of kidney failure.