Born: 1912 (Berlin, Germany)
Died: 2007 (Vienna, Austria)
Biography:
Ellen Müller-Preis, also known as Ellen Preis, was a German-born Austrian Olympic-champion foil fencer. She was born on May 6, 1912, in Berlin to a Jewish family. At the age of 18, in 1930, Preis moved to Vienna, where she began receiving fencing instruction from her aunt. Her talent and dedication quickly propelled her to success in the world of fencing.
Preis made her mark on the international stage in under two years, coming in third place in the European Championships held in Vienna. Her exceptional performance caught the attention of the fencing community, and she soon gained recognition as a formidable competitor.
In 1932, Preis, who held dual citizenship as a German/Austrian, aspired to represent Germany in the Los Angeles Olympics. However, she was rejected by the German Federation. Undeterred, she decided to fence for Austria in the 1932 Summer Olympics and achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the gold medal in the individual women’s foil competition. She triumphed over her competitor, Heather Judy Guinness of England, in an exhilarating display of skill and determination.
Despite facing immense challenges, Preis consistently showcased her exceptional fencing abilities in subsequent Olympics. She won bronze medals in both the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1948 London Olympics. The 1936 Berlin Olympics holds historical significance as Preis was one of several Jewish athletes who defied the oppressive regime by achieving sporting success. In the individual women’s foil competition of that Olympics, all three medals were won by Jewish women, including Preis, Ilona Elek from Hungary, and Helene Mayer who competed for Germany.
Preis’s career extended beyond the Olympic Games. She excelled in various World and National Championships, winning three world championships in 1947, 1949, and 1950. Additionally, she accumulated an astonishing 17 national Austrian titles throughout her career. In 1949, Preis was honored as the first-ever Austrian Female Athlete of the Year for her remarkable achievements in fencing.
Outside of the fencing arena, Preis made valuable contributions to the arts and academia. After retiring from competitive fencing, she became a Professor Emeritus at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Preis shared her expertise by teaching at the Max Reinhardt Seminar and coaching at the Openstudio of the Vienna Staatsoper and the Burgtheater. She also worked as a consultant, ensuring the accurate portrayal of fencing in theatrical productions.
Ellen Müller-Preis continued to inspire others with her resilience and passion for fencing until her passing. On November 18, 2007, she passed away in Vienna due to kidney failure, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and breaking barriers in the male-dominated world of sports.
Awards:
– 1932 Summer Olympics: Gold Medal in Individual Women’s Foil Competition
– 1947 World Championship: Gold Medal
– 1949 World Championship: Gold Medal
– 1950 World Championship: Gold Medal
– 17-time Austrian National Champion in Women’s Foil Fencing (dates unknown)
– 1949 Austrian Female Athlete of the Year