Zurich has many famous residents and today guest blogger Emma Cleverly tells us more about some of them:

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (and his first wife) spent intermittent periods in Zurich, with Einstein both studying and working in the city. In fact, such was Einstein’s enthusiasm for all things Swiss, he eventually became a citizen of Switzerland (ultimately prompted by the unnerving prospect of military conscription). Einstein insisted on attending the prestigious Zurich based Swiss Polytechnic University, patiently waiting a year for acceptance having failed his first set of entrance exams. Those with an avid interest in all things Einstein can take a trip to nearby Bern, where the fascinating Einstein House awaits them.

Tina Turner

Nestled snuggly along the shoreline of Lake Zurich lies Tina Turner’s humble abode. By humble, we really mean luxurious, sprawling and somewhat extravagant – but still beautiful nonetheless. Tina’s affection for Zurich led to her decision to become a Swiss Citizen – understandable given the fact she has lived in Zurich since the mid 90’s. Asked why she had chosen Zurich as a place of permanent residence, Tina told a German newspaper, “I’m very happy in Switzerland and I feel at home here. I cannot imagine a better place to live”. Tina also married her record executive fiancé Erwin Bach in a ceremony close to Lake Zurich in 2013.

Vladimir Lenin

Marxist Vladimir Lenin spent a year living in Zurich, during his exile in 1916.  He lived with his wife, Nadezhda Krupskaya in Spiegelgasse in the old town. It is said that Lenin enjoyed his stay in Zurich, apparently writing to his mother informing her that the lake was an extremely beautiful spot where he and his wife spent much of their spare time. It was whilst living in Spiegelgasse that Lenin completed his work ‘Imperialism: the highest stage of capitalism’ – very appropriate given Zurich’s enduring position as a financial powerhouse.

Richard Wagner

Famous composer Wagner spent time living in Zurich following political unrest in Germany. Wagner was said to have been in a terrible state on arrival in Switzerland, finding enforced separation from the German music scene extremely distressing. Nevertheless, Wagner continued to work within a creative capacity, successfully penning three works during his time in Zurich (‘Art and Revolution’, ‘Opera and Drama’ and ‘The Artwork of the Future’). He also completed most of the libretto of the four operas that are Der Ring des Nibelungen.  It is said that Wagner viewed his time in Zurich as a restorative and reflective period in his life – quite possibly due to ill health which forced him to adopt a far slower pace. Today, there are exhibitions held in Zurich throughout the year which pay tribute to Wagner’s life and talent and the city recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of the controversial composer’s birth.

Emma Cleverly is now a freelance writer, but before she took to penning articles she had a varied career, firstly working in the travel industry – where she actually spent some time Zurich, working as a Nanny, this gave her a taste for family life and after meeting her husband there, she eventually settled in London to raise her own children and begin her writing career.