Born Maria Ludwig Michael Mies, the renowned German architect known professionally as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—often referred to simply as Mies—left an indelible mark on modern architecture. Mies, a visionary in his field, was behind iconic structures like the Barcelona Pavilion and Villa Tugendhat in the Czech Republic, both celebrated as modernist masterpieces. Before achieving international fame, Mies honed his craft during the early 1900s while apprenticing under architect Peter Behrens. During that time, Mies had the rare opportunity to collaborate with other architectural giants, including Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius. As a young but capable apprentice, Mies even supervised construction on the German Empire’s Embassy, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future work.

Mies’s personal life was equally complex. He married Ada Bruhn, and their five-year union produced three daughters: Dorothea, Waltraut, and Marianne. Though the marriage eventually ended, Mies later fathered a fourth child—a son—from an extramarital relationship, making him the father of four children in total. Over the years, Mies was involved in several high-profile relationships, most notably a nearly thirty-year-long affair with sculptor Lora Marx. Through both his professional achievements and personal experiences, Mies emerged not just as a leading figure in modernist design, but also as a deeply human presence whose legacy continues to influence architects around the world. Mies truly embodied the spirit of innovation, and Mies remains a name synonymous with architectural brilliance.