Ashley Kehr, a German National, is perhaps one of the more controversial figures in the field of international marriage. She was born iniens, weighing only 118 pounds, making her one of the smallest brides to ever enter the halls of marriage. She had been told she was too young to be a bride and was forced into the role of a foster parent to support her elderly mother, father, and two sisters. Ashley gave up her right to become a German and instead made herself U.S. citizen to gain citizenship of the United States after marrying German-American businessman, Richard Walderrath in 1931.
Ashley Kehr is an avid fan of traditional German cuisine, speaking regularly about it, and adorning her food with decorations that are indicative of the traditional German culture. In her words, “You know that feeling you get when you’re eating food that’s prepared by someone who doesn’t know their stuff? That’s what I’m talking about. It’s not that the food tastes bad or any different from food you’d eat anywhere else but because there’s a lack of respect for the culture.” Her passion for German food, however, does not translate into an inability to keep a straight head, as was proven by the many times she was duped into believing she was speaking English when in reality she was speaking German.
Ashley Kehr has been married twice, first to Frank Walderrath, a member of the Bavarian National Social Club and later to Max Braun, an editor and critic. Her first marriage ended in divorce and she has since married a second time to German-American National, Gerhard Weyer. Despite her obvious deficiencies, Ashley Kehr has maintained a strong career as a writer and political activist. She is currently working on a book about her first marriage and shares this insider’s insight into how to balance a career and a personal life. With plenty of opinions and strong opinions, Ashley Kehr is definitely a serious reader who will most certainly keep us entertained.