Gitta Sereny tells in her book Albert Speer: His Battle With Truth how Speer had been discomfited by Hitler's conduct toward Eva Braun. One night at the Berghof he heard Hitler say, as the young woman sat next to him at the table, that a highly intelligent man should always choose a primitive and stupid woman:

"Imagine if on top of everything else I had a woman who interfered with my work! In my leisure time I want to have peace .. I could never marry. Think of the problems if I had children! In the end they would try to make my son my successor."

Traudl Junge

Traudl Junge, one of Hitler's secretaries who died a few years ago, recalled her first meeting with Eva Braun during the war:

"In addition to being so well-dressed and well cared for, it struck me that she was so natural and open ... Her hair had been dyed blond and the style suited her; her pretty face had been tastefully made up. She was not tall, but had an excellent figure and she carried herself well."

In their book Hitler's Henchmen Dr. van Capelle and Dr. van de Bovenkamp tell that Eva Braun complained frequently in her diary that Hitler had so little time for her and only truly loved her when it suited him. However, even when Hitler was not on the Obersalzberg, he never forgot his Eva. Hitler's servant, Heinz Linge, recalled:

"He telephoned her every second day. If his adjutants or Bormann were flying to Munich he would give them letters for Eva ..."

Robert Waite tells in his book The Psychopathic God that over the years Hitler really became very fond of Eva. He took to addressing her, both in private letters and within the intimate circle at the Berghof, with tender Austrian words to express his affection - Tschapperl, Hascherl, and Patsherl.

Traudl Junge, one of Hitler's secretaries, later recalled:

"He patted her hand, calling her my Patscherl ... He always urged her to eat this or that, saying, Now, my Patscherl, eat this little morsel that is good for you."

Dr. van Capelle and Dr. van de Bovenkamp tell in Hitler's Henchmen how Eva after the outbreak of World War 2 gradually was allowed to appear more often in public. She was allowed to be present on Hitler's birthday, she was invited to receptions at Berchtesgaden and she dined with generals and party officials.

But her diary, which survived her death, is full of complaints about Hitler's neglect and humiliation of her - she was forbidden to smoke, dance or enjoy the company of other men.

A secret, private film collection shows candid views of Eva Braun and Hitler in war and peacetime, chatting with children, conferring with subordinates, relaxing after victories and recovering after Stalingrad.

Eva Braun spent much time exercising, brooding, and reading novelettes. But her loyalty to Hitler never flagged. As Robert Waite wrote: Eva Braun grew in stature. There was about her a quiet inner strength. Even someone who had cordially disliked her said at the end that she attained heights which more than atoned for the vanities and frivolities of the past.

Toward the war's end Henriette von Schirach, the daughter of Hitler's close friend Heinrich Hoffmann, suggested that Eva flee Germany but Eva Braun would not countenance the idea - on April 15, 1945, she flew from Munich to besieged Reich Chancellery in Berlin. Hitler ordered her to return to Munich. She refused. "Do you think," she reportedly said, "I will let you die alone?"

As a reward for her loyalty Hitler finally gave way and on the last day of his life married her.