Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died on December 5, 1791, in Vienna at the age of 35. The exact cause of his death has been a subject of debate and speculation for centuries. Here are the key points about Mozart's death:
## Final Illness
Mozart fell ill in late November 1791, experiencing symptoms including:
- High fever
- Rashes with tiny bumps
- Pain across his body
- Extreme swelling (edema) of hands, feet, and face
- Vomiting
He was bedridden for about two weeks before his death[1][2].
## Possible Causes
While the official cause was listed as "acute miliary fever," many theories have been proposed:
- Streptococcal infection leading to glomerulonephritis
- Rheumatic fever
- Trichinosis
- Kidney disease
- Subdural hematoma from previous head injuries
A 2009 study suggested strep infection as a likely cause, based on epidemiological data from Vienna at the time[4].
## Context
Mozart's death occurred during a period of increased mortality in Vienna, particularly among younger men. This suggests he may have been a victim of an infectious disease outbreak[3].
Ultimately, due to limited medical knowledge at the time and lack of an autopsy, the exact cause of Mozart's death remains uncertain. His symptoms and the epidemiological context provide clues, but a definitive diagnosis remains elusive.
Sources
[1] Death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart
[2] How Did Mozart Die? Inside The Composer's Mysterious Death https://allthatsinteresting.com/how-did-mozart-die
[3] What did Mozart die of? It certainly wasn't Salieri… https://www.simlaweb.it/mozart-cause-death/
[4] What Really Killed Mozart? Maybe Strep - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/health/18mozart.html
[5] How did Mozart die? We now know the score https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna43675803