The Maid Who Ended Up Inheriting Her Wealthy Boss’ Entire Estate Instead Of His Family

In 1927, a middle-aged German immigrant who had worked tirelessly for 30 years was rewarded in a shocking manner after her boss died

Those who are employed by the wealthy frequently wonder what it must actually be like to live with excess and opulence. Unfortunately, few get to truly taste what that experience is like. However, one exception to this was a former maid named Rosa Kubach who was stunned to inherit all of her wealthy employer’s estate upon his death, as he decided to reward her and at the same time cut off all of his family.

Nearly a century ago, the 50-year-old Kubach got the best news of her life shortly after the death of her long-time employer, Matthias Seddinger. The February 24, 1927 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the maid had worked for the well-known ship builder and real estate magnate for 30 years when he passed away at the age of 89. She was shocked to discover that despite him having family, he left his entire estate to her, worth approximately $200,000 (worth more than $3.5 million in modern value).

It was said that Kubach had worked for Seddinger for almost as long as she had been in the United States, arriving near the turn of last century as a young woman after emigrating from Germany.

Originally, the wealthy gentleman had also planned to provide for two other domestics in his household in his will. However, they passed away before him, leaving Kubach as the only heir. Seddinger decided to give his vast wealth to the person who had been by his side and attended him for years because he had grown fed up with his family, which included a daughter, sister, nephews and nieces. He explained:

“They have never manifested any interest whatsoever in my welfare, but they have treated my deceased wife and myself with contempt.”

His will included a heartwarming reminder as to why he made the decision he made:

“She has been more kind to me than many children have been to their natural parents and I consider her as near to me as if she was a child of my own flesh and blood.”

Kubach was excited about her good fortune, but also decided to remain closed lipped:

“Mr. Seddinger had never spoken about his will to me. I am very happy, of course. I think he left me the money because he knew I served him faithfully and loyally. However, I don’t want to talk about it.”

It was said that Seddinger’s actual family declined to pursue the matter further than the will reading, as they believed that if he didn’t think enough of them to bequeath them anything, they didn’t want it. The entire affair is an excellent reminder to treat others how you want to be treated yourself. Hopefully, Kubach was able to retire with her new found wealth and enjoy the rest of her life in a way she never had before.