Last of 'Sound of Music' von Trapp singer dies at 99

Last surviving child of family who inspired epic musical dies in Vermont; the von Traps fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938, ended up performing in the US.

By REUTERS
Maria von Trapp. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Maria von Trapp.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Maria von Trapp, a member of the family who inspired the musical "The Sound of Music," has died at the age of 99.
The last surviving member of the Trapp Family Singers, has died at the age of 99 at her home in Vermont.
Maria Von Trapp was one of seven children born to Austrian Naval Captain Georg von Trapp and his first wife.
Maria and her family fled Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938 and ended up performing in the US.
Her family's fascinating life story inspired a Broadway musical in 1959, The Sound of Music.....And subsequently the 1965 blockbuster movie, starring Dame Julie Andrews, which won an Oscar for Best Picture.
The Sound of Music tells of a young woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the seven children of a naval officer widower.
"It was not quite what we experienced in our life, but I like 'The Sound of Music' very much. I think it's a beautiful story and you can take the children there. There's no violence. And it's only the really happy family that we were. The only thing is my father was different, you know. He was a very loving father. Music was in our house all the time."
Maria was portrayed as Louisa in both the musical and movie.
After the family arrived in New York, they became popular with concert audiences.
They eventually settled in Vermont, where they opened a ski lodge.