Karoline Kaulla
Karoline Kaulla | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raphael 1739 Buchau am Federsee, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 1809-03-18 Hechingen, Holy Roman Empire |
| Other names | Madame Kaulla, "Kiefe" Auerbacher, Chaile |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, court factor, treasurer |
| Years active | 1768–1809 |
| Known for | Wealthiest woman in Germany; influential Court Jew; co-founder of Royal Württemberg Court Bank |
Karoline (Hebrew: Chaile) Kaulla, born Raphael, also referred to as 'Madame Kaulla' or '"Kiefe" Auerbacher' (1739, Buchau am Federsee – 18 March 1809, Hechingen), was a distinguished German financier and one of the most influential Court Jews, reputed to be the wealthiest woman in Germany.
Early life
Karoline was the daughter of banker Yitzchak (Isaak) Raphael and Rifka Wasserman, and sibling to Jacob Kaulla. The family surname Raphael came from their father; later, Karoline adopted the name Kaulla, derived from her original name Chaile, with her brother’s endorsement. Her father held the position of Court Jew for the Hohenzollern dynasty. In 1757, she married Akiva Auerbach, who subsequently assumed her family name.
Business career
Kaulla became court factor to the Fürstenberg household in Donaueschingen in 1768, dealing in horses, silverware, jewelry, and luxury items. By 1770, she had been named court factor for the Duke of Wuerttemberg in Stuttgart. She fulfilled the role of treasurer at the Royal Württemberg Court and managed the Trading House Kaulla located in Stuttgart. Additionally, Kaulla was a co-founder of the Royal Württemberg Court Bank, which ultimately merged into what became the Deutsche Bank by the 1920s.
Renowned for her expertise in finance and charitable endeavors, she actively supported the Jewish community in Hechingen and provided assistance to impoverished individuals regardless of their faith. In recognition of her financial contributions to the Imperial army, Emperor Franz I honored her in 1808 with the Civil-Verdienst-Medaille accompanied by a golden chain; this award is currently displayed at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.