Pauline Strauss, born Pauline Maria de Ahna, was a German opera singer and soprano. She was born in Ingolstadt on February 4, 1863, and died in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on May 13, 1950. Her father was the Bavarian general Adolf de Ahna; she was also the niece of violinist Heinrich de Ahna and opera singer Eleonore de Ahna. She married composer Richard Strauss.
In 1887, while beginning her opera career in Munich, de Ahna was introduced to Strauss for singing lessons. She followed him to Weimar as a pupil and made her stage debut there in 1890. On May 10, 1894, she sang Freihild in the premiere of Strauss’s first opera, Guntram. She married him on September 10 of that year in Marquartstein.
Her singing career continued until 1906, mainly in chamber repertoire, and Strauss wrote many of his songs for her. Their relationship also inspired his opera Intermezzo, whose libretto he wrote. It closely follows an episode in their married life: while Strauss was away on tour, a note from an unknown woman was mistakenly delivered to their home, prompting Pauline to begin divorce proceedings.
In later years, Pauline and Richard Strauss lived in their Bavarian country home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and relied on help from trusted servants.