Friedrich Kadgien Wiki, Age, Real Name, Career, Nazi, Education, nationality, Parents, Wife, Children, Daughters, Controversies

Friedrich Gustav Kadgien, known simply as Friedrich Kadgien, was a German businessman, lawyer, and financier. He was born on 23 June 1907 in Elberfeld, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany) and died in 1978 in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 70–71.

Early Life and Education

Friedrich Kadgien was the son of Arthur Kadgien (1867–1920), a district judge and later a high court councillor, and Maria Kadgien (1871–1956), born Wulfert. Both parents came from Bad Kreuznach.

Friedrich Kadgien studied law and earned a doctorate (Dr. iur.) from the University of Cologne, writing a dissertation on the Law of Obligations.

Career

Friedrich Kadgien worked in the Prussian government, first as a lecturer on foreign exchange in the Department of Economic Affairs. Later, he became a financial advisor to Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering during Nazi Germany.

Friedrich Kadgien was responsible for transferring millions in Nazi plunder to South America. The Allies gave him the nickname “The Snake” because they tried to track him down for years without success.

Life in Argentina

In 1951, records show Friedrich Kadgien immigration to Brazil, and later he settled in Argentina. He married there and had two daughters. He lived in Mar del Plata, where he died in 1978.

Controversy After Death

In 2025, a painting called “Portrait of a Lady, Contessa Colleoni” by Giuseppe Ghislandi resurfaced in Argentina. It had belonged to Jewish-Dutch art dealer Jacques Goudstikker before World War II and was considered Nazi-looted art.

The house linked to one of Friedrich Kadgien daughters was searched by police. Although the painting was not initially found, prosecutors announced on 3 September 2025 that it was returned by the lawyer of Patricia Kadgien, one of Friedrich Kadgien daughters.

>>Full Name: Friedrich Gustav Kadgien

>>Other Name: Federico Gustavo Kadgien (in Argentina)

>>Date of Birth: 23 June 1907

>>Place of Birth: Elberfeld, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany)

>>Date of Death: 1978 (aged 70–71)

>>Place of Death: Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

>>Nationality: German

>>Education: University of Cologne – Doctor of Law (Dr. iur.)

>>Career: Businessman, lawyer, financier, financial advisor to Hitler and Goering during Nazi Germany.

>>Notable Role: Special representative in the Four Year Plan; transferred Nazi wealth to South America

>>Parents: Arthur Kadgien (father), Maria Kadgien (mother)

>>Siblings: Not publicly known

>>Wife: Married in Argentina (name not publicly recorded)

>>Children: Two daughters

>>Controversy: Known as “The Snake” by the Allies for hiding Nazi funds; linked posthumously to Nazi-looted art found in Argentina in 2025.

FAQs 

1. What was Friedrich Kadgien real name?

- Friedrich Kadgien full name was Friedrich Gustav Kadgien.

2. When and where was Friedrich Kadgien born?

- Friedrich Kadgien was born on 23 June 1907 in Elberfeld, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany).

3. When did Friedrich Kadgien die?

- Friedrich Kadgien died in 1978 in Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 70–71.

4. What was Friedrich Kadgien nationality?

- Friedrich Kadgien was German.

5. What was Friedrich Kadgien education?

- Friedrich Kadgien studied law at the University of Cologne and earned a doctorate (JD, Dr. iur.).

6. What was Friedrich Kadgien career?

- Friedrich Kadgien was a lawyer, financier, and businessman. He also worked as a financial advisor to Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering during Nazi Germany.

7. Who were Friedrich Kadgien parents?

- Friedrich Kadgien father was Arthur Kadgien (1867–1920), a judge and high court councillor, and his mother was Maria Kadgien (1871–1956), born Wulfert.

8. Did Friedrich Kadgien have a wife and children?

- Yes. While in Argentina, Friedrich Kadgien married and had two daughters.

9. Did Friedrich Kadgien have any other names?

- Yes, in Argentina Friedrich Kadgien was also known as Federico Gustavo Kadgien.

10. Was Friedrich Kadgien involved in any controversies?

- Yes. Friedrich Kadgien helped transfer Nazi looted money and art to South America. The Allies called him “The Snake” because they could not catch him. In 2025, one of his daughters was linked to a house connected to Nazi-looted art (Portrait of a Lady, Contessa Colleoni by Giuseppe Ghislandi).