Albert Einstein 42 - divorce On Valentine's Day Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

On 14th February 1919,
Celebrated as Valentine's day,
Albert and Mileva got divorced in a Swiss Court.
Albert was firm that he wanted a divorce from Mileva,
Mileva, had fervently hoped for a reconciliation, but,
As the war ended, she too, gave up and consented for a divorce.

Before the divorce, Albert had moved in with Elsa,
Wherein, she had arranged a comfortable study room
In her apartment in Berlin, for his research and writing work.
According to the Swiss law, after the divorce,
He must wait for two years, before he married again.
But this two-year waiting period was not applicable in Germany.

The terms and conditions of Divorce law in Switzerland,
Ordered Albert to deposit a large share of his income
In a Swiss bank for the future use of Mileva and children.
Additionally, Albert had to make quarterly alimony payments.
Mileva took full custody of her children as well, however,
Albert was free to meet them in Switzerland during holidays.


In Swiss Court, Albert had to express the reason for his divorce,
And the cause for ending his relationship with Mileva.
Einstein blamed himself and declared openly of
Having committed adultery,
For which he willingly paid a fine
And a court fee for the offence.

The greatest surprise,
Of this famous, legal divorce case was
When Einstein declared in the court,
That if he won the Nobel Prize in future,
Then, he would relinquish his prize money
To be deposited in Mileva's bank account!

An extraordinary case of
An extraordinary man!
A glamorous scientist with
A rare, generous heart,
A sacrifice of his own victory,
A patent prize that he deserved,
As a settlement for a divorce!

A Biographical Poem