Esther Liebmann Explained

Esther Liebmann (née Schulhoff; 1649 – 15 April 1714) was a German financier. In Berlin, she served as court Jew to King Friedrich I of Prussia, inheriting the title and also the Münzregal from her second husband, Jost Liebmann.^[1] She served as court jeweler, assisting the king in obtaining a large collection of gems and jewelry. When her husband was living, the couple worked together and were some of the most well-to-do Jews in Berlin. After Liebmann's husband's death in 1701, she carried on their business and became responsible for minting official coinage for the crown.^[2] In her lifetime, she was known as the most powerful woman in the country.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Book: Hertz, Deborah . The Despised Queen of Berlin Jewry, or the Life and Times of Esther Liebmann . Vivian B. . Mann . Richard I. . Cohen . From Court Jews to the Rothschilds. Art, Patronage and Power 1600–1800 . 1996 . New York . Prestel . 67–77 . 3-7913-1624-9 .
2. Web site: Liebmann, Esther Schulhoff Aaron (c. 1645–1714) and Jost. Jewish Virtual Library. American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. 16 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170616174454/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/liebmann-esther-schulhoff-aaron-c-1645-x2013-1714-and-jost. 16 June 2017. Chevy Chase, Maryland. 1998.
3. News: Stoltzenberg. Peter. Die verschwiegene Herrin. Der Tagesspiegel. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132804/http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/esther-liebmann-die-erste-hofjuedin-preussens-die-verschwiegene-herrin/9755782.html. 4 March 2016. Berlin, Germany. German. 14 April 2014. The Mute Mistress.