What did Beethoven die of?

Beethoven's doctors conducted four minor operations to relieve ascites (abdominal swelling), of which the first resulted in infection, the others not. On 24 March he was given his last rites, and on 26 March he slipped into unconsciousness and died. read more

Beethoven died at age 56. Tests have recently confirmed that Beethoven died as a result of lead poisoning. This was attested to by the fact that he suffered from stomach ailments for much of his life, another sign of lead poisoning. It is not known what caused Beethoven's exposure to lead poisoning for so much of his life. read more

Ludwig van Beethoven (/ ˈ l ʊ d v ɪ ɡ v æ n ˈ b eɪ t (. h) oʊ v ən / ( listen); German: [ˈluːtvɪç fan ˈbeːthoːfn̩] ( listen); baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. read more