The grave of Alois Hitler, Adolf's father, in Leonding, Austria. Alois died suddenly after a morning walk in 1903. Adolf Hitler, then 13, thereafter took advantage of his mother's indulgent nature and effectively loafed through life until twice, in both 1907 and 1908, he was rejected from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. He lived a desultory life as a failed artist until World War I erupted, which provided the 25-year-old with a career (soldier) and a cause (the glorification of Germany).