CBS

Josef Goebbels was born in Rheydt, Germany on October 29, 1897. A National Socialist from northern Germany, Goebbels initially allied himself with Gregor Strasser and wanted Hitler driven out of the party. Goebbels changed allegiances, however, when Hitler returned to the Nazi Party after his brief respite at his Alpine residence in Obersalzberg. Despite his right club foot and Hitler's aversion to physical deformity, Goebbels became Hitler's Minister of Information and one of his most trusted advisors. Goebbels is credited with creating and running the Nazi propaganda machine that helped propel both Hitler and the party into power. Goebbels, his wife, Magda, and their six small children, were with Hitler in the bunker at the very end. On May 1, 1945, one day after Hitler committed suicide, Josef and Magda followed by poisoning all six of their children before they themselves swallowed cyanide capsules.