meyerbeer was born into a rich jewish family in tasdorf (now a part of rüdersdorf), near berlin. his father owned large sugar refineries in berlin and in italy. his mother also came from a rich family. her father had been important in germany’s struggle to be free of the french in 1812 when napoleon was trying to conquer much of europe. giacomo’s mother did a lot of good work trying to help people who were wounded during the napoleonic wars.