Helene von Breuning

Helene von Breuning (née von Kerich; 3 January 1750, Cologne – 9 December 1838) was a member of the Bonn upper class, who engaged young Ludwig van Beethoven to teach music to her children, helped him with his education and introduced him into social circles.

Beethoven was employed as a piano teacher for the two youngest children, Lorchen and Lenz, who were two and seven years younger, respectively.

Beethoven's dysfunctional home life during his childhood and adolescence was extremely unhappy and stressful and he was drawn to the warmth and closeness of the Breuning family.

It was with Helene's help that the young Beethoven largely overcame his excessive diffidence and learned more refined social manners.

According to Wegeler, the Breuning family helped to cultivate Beethoven's lifelong passion for literature and poetry.