The Hills Are Still Alive: Where Are The Von Trapp Grandchildren Today? (2025 Update)

The legacy of the von Trapp family is much more than a beloved musical. As of late 2025, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Captain Georg von Trapp and Maria Augusta Kutschera continue to manage their sprawling, multi-generational empire, primarily centered around the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, and through various independent careers in the arts and business. With over 150 living descendants, the family tree has branched far beyond the original singing group, revealing a fascinating array of doctors, farmers, teachers, and entrepreneurs who honor their Austrian heritage in unique and modern ways. The real story of the family, immortalized in the 1965 film *The Sound of Music*, has inspired generations, but the lives of the current descendants—the grandchildren—offer a fresh, updated look at a family that successfully transitioned from international singing stars to savvy American business operators and cultural preservationists.

The Real Von Trapp Family Tree: A Biographical Snapshot

The "grandchildren" are the children of the original ten von Trapp children. Unlike the seven fictional children in the film, Captain Georg von Trapp had ten children in real life: seven with his first wife, Agathe Whitehead, and three with his second wife, Maria Augusta Kutschera. Understanding this lineage is key to appreciating the current generation's diverse paths.

• Rupert von Trapp (1911–1992): The eldest, portrayed as "Friedrich." He became a medical doctor and served in the U.S. Army.
• Agathe von Trapp (1913–2010): Portrayed as "Liesl." She was a teacher, artist, and author who lived a quiet life in the U.S.
• Maria Franziska von Trapp (1914–2014): Portrayed as "Louisa." She became a lay missionary in Papua New Guinea for 50 years.
• Werner von Trapp (1915–2007): Portrayed as "Kurt." He became a dairy farmer in Vermont and is the progenitor of the family's most recent singing group.
• Hedwig von Trapp (1917–1972): Portrayed as "Brigitta." She became a music teacher.
• Johanna von Trapp (1919–1994): Portrayed as "Marta." She married and had children, living in Austria. One of her children is named Johanna II.
• Martina von Trapp (1921–1951): Portrayed as "Gretl." She died young from complications during childbirth.
• Rosmarie von Trapp (1929–2022): The eldest of Maria’s children, not portrayed in the film. She was a teacher and educator.
• Eleonore von Trapp (1931–2021): Not portrayed in the film. Known by her nickname, "Lorli," she inherited a love for music and travel.
• Johannes von Trapp (b. 1939): The youngest child and the last surviving member of the original Trapp Family Singers. He is the President of the Trapp Family enterprise.

The Grandchildren Today: Inheriting the Legacy of Music and Management

The current generation of grandchildren has moved away from full-time touring as a family unit, instead channeling their energy into individual projects, cultural preservation, and the family's primary business: the Trapp Family Lodge. Their current activities, as of late 2024 and heading into 2025, show a clear dedication to their heritage.

1. Elisabeth von Trapp: The Touring Singer-Songwriter

One of the most active grandchildren in the music world is Elisabeth von Trapp, the daughter of Werner von Trapp. She has successfully forged a career as a contemporary singer-songwriter, blending folk, jazz, and classical influences into her own unique style. Unlike the traditional Austrian folk music of her grandparents, Elisabeth's work is distinctively modern.

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Her commitment to the family's musical heritage remains strong. She continues to tour, with her calendar for 2024 and 2025 featuring concerts, including her popular "Home for Christmas" show, often celebrating the 60th anniversary of *The Sound of Music*.

2. Kristina von Trapp Frame and Sam von Trapp: The Lodge Executives

The most visible grandchildren in the family business are Kristina von Trapp Frame and her brother, Sam von Trapp, the children of Johannes von Trapp. They are the primary operators and public faces of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, the Austrian-style resort founded by Maria and Georg after they settled in the U.S.

Kristina von Trapp Frame serves as the Director and Executive Vice President, overseeing the resort's operations and ensuring the family's values are maintained. Sam von Trapp, also an executive, is instrumental in managing the resort and its related enterprises, including the popular von Trapp Brewery which produces lagers and pilsners. Their roles are crucial in preserving the family's physical and cultural home in America.

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3. The Great-Grandchildren: The Next Musical Generation

While technically the great-grandchildren, a group of four siblings—Sofia von Trapp, Melanie von Trapp, Amanda von Trapp, and August von Trapp (children of Werner's grandson, Stefan von Trapp)—carried the torch of the family's singing legacy into the 21st century.

Known simply as "The von Trapps," they toured internationally for over 15 years, performing folk, indie, and contemporary music. However, the group announced their retirement from touring to pursue individual creative paths. While their individual projects are less publicized, their collective career marked a significant continuation of the family's musical tradition, proving that the singing talent runs deep.

Beyond the Stage: The Diverse Careers of the Von Trapp Descendants

With hundreds of descendants, the von Trapp family has spread its influence across a vast spectrum of professions, moving far beyond the image of a choir. The Georg & Agathe Foundation, established to honor the family's true history, highlights the remarkable diversity of careers among the descendants, showcasing that their legacy is now one of entrepreneurship, education, and social contribution.

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The Professional Landscape of the Third Generation

The grandchildren of the original singers have pursued careers that reflect their individual passions, often away from the public eye. The family's foundation classifies the descendants into several key professional areas, providing insight into the overall career path of the von Trapp lineage:

• Arts and Culture: Many descendants, like Elisabeth von Trapp, have become musicians, artists, and writers. This category includes music teachers, art therapists, and cultural preservationists who work to maintain the family's historical narrative.
• Business and Hospitality: This is a major area, anchored by the Trapp Family Lodge. Grandchildren are involved in resort management, finance, marketing, and the operation of the Von Trapp Brewery, demonstrating a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
• Education and Social Work: Following the path of their ancestors like Maria Franziska (a missionary) and Rosmarie (a teacher), many descendants have chosen careers as educators, counselors, and social workers, dedicating their lives to service and community.
• Medicine and Science: The family's professional diversity is highlighted by descendants who have become doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, a path first taken by Rupert von Trapp.
• Farming and Agriculture: The family's connection to the land in Vermont, which began with Werner von Trapp's dairy farm, continues with descendants involved in farming and sustainable agriculture.

The story of the von Trapp grandchildren is a testament to the fact that a famous family can evolve without losing its core values. They have successfully leveraged the goodwill of their surname—a powerful LSI keyword in the world of musical history—to build a modern, diversified enterprise. From the hospitality of the Trapp Family Lodge to the independent music of a touring singer, the hills of Vermont are truly alive with the sound of a family forging its own, fresh legacy in the 21st century. Their ability to adapt and thrive, 80 years after their escape from Austria, is perhaps the most impressive chapter in the von Trapp family history.