When she was almost finished with her degree, while writing her dissertation on the Ludovisi Throne, her father discovered her relationship with Brendel and pulled her out of the university, ending her doctoral career.

Maria moved back to Berlin with Cornelia, living under a false name so nobody suspected her Jewish identity.

On 3 September 1939, Maria and Cornelia left Germany and immigrated to St. Louis, Missouri, where Otto was already living.

In 1956, they moved to New York City, where both Maria and Otto were actively involved in the Archaeology Club.

She arranged for Emeline Richardson to complete his book Etruscan Art, and later for Francesca Serra Ridgway to write the second edition.