Ludwig van Beethoven was 1 of 7 children born to Johann van Beethoven & Maria Magdalena, but only 3 survived to adulthood, Ludwig himself, and his 2 younger brothers: Kaspar & Nikolaus JohannBeethoven’s relationship with his brothers was complicated and often strained. As the eldest, he felt responsible for his family, especially after their father’s death. Despite frequent conflicts, Beethoven remained connected to his brothers, driven by a mix of loyalty, affection, and frustration