DNA analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven, nearly two centuries after his death, has shed light on his health issues and revealed a mystery about his family ancestry.
Beethoven suffered from progressive hearing loss, leaving him completely deaf by age 40, as well as severe digestive problems.
Genetic analysis by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology revealed a genetic predisposition to liver disease and a hepatitis B infection. This infection, combined with alcohol consumption, may have contributed to his premature death at 56. The analysis refuted the theory of chronic lead poisoning. A comparison of Beethoven's Y chromosome with living descendants revealed a genetic discrepancy, suggesting a non-paternity event in his paternal lineage. This discovery casts doubt on his family ancestry, adding a layer of mystery to the composer's life.
While the cause of his deafness and digestive issues remains unclear, the study has provided new insights into Beethoven's health.