Adorable Story #78: Bror Blixen

The Man Who Lived Life on the Edge

“The Baron was not a man that you forget.”

— Ernest Hemingway

1930's: Bror von Blixen-Finecke on safari with his third wife, Eva Dickson, first woman to have ever crossed the Sahara by automobile — Photographer unknown

Born to an aristocratic Swedish family, Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke married his Danish second-cousin Karen Blixen (better known by her pen name Isak Dinesen) in 1914. The couple moved to Kenya, where they bought a coffee plantation. After divorcing his first wife, he became a legendary guide in safari expeditions throughout Africa.

Table of Contents: Early Life / Karen’s Interest in Hans and Bror / Marriage and Move to Africa / Relationship between Bror and Karen / Life After Karen / Safari Guide / Literary Contributions / Later years / Did you know?

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The Adventurous Life of Bror Blixen

Early Life

Bror Fredrik von Blixen-Finecke was born on July 25, 1886, into Swedish nobility. He and his identical twin brother, Hans Gustaf von Blixen-Finecke, grew up in a privileged environment. Hans went on to become an Olympic equestrian, winning gold in the 1912 Summer Olympics, while Bror’s path led him to a life of adventure, particularly in Africa.

Bror’s parents, Baron Carl Frederik von Blixen-Finecke (1847–1919) and Countess Clara Krag-Juel-Vind-Frijs (1855–1925), hailed from distinguished Scandinavian lineages.

Bror’s family was not particularly wealthy though. They had social standing but faced financial challenges.

Bror’s maternal uncle, Count Mogens Frijs, and his tales of life in Naivasha, inspired young Bror to seek his future in Africa

Karen’s Interest in Hans and Bror

Karen Dinesen, later known to the wider public with her pen name of Isak Dinesen, came from a wealthy and prominent Danish family.

Her family owned a successful estate, Rungstedlund, which provided her with ample financial stability.

Additionally, her father, Wilhelm Dinesen, was a well-known author and military man, contributing to the family’s social standing and wealth.

Karen was initially interested in Bror’s identical twin brother, Hans Gustaf von Blixen-Finecke. Hans had a charismatic presence that attracted Karen but he did not reciprocate Karen’s romantic interest.

Marriage and Move to Africa

Once Hans rejected Karen, it was Bror who eventually pursued her. Bror’s charm and adventurous nature eventually won Karen over, leading to their decision to move to Africa in 1913 and their subsequent marriage in 1914.