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The white lady

For many years, a portrait of an unknown woman has hung in the elegant dining room at Kragerup Gods. Generation after generation, the family has gazed at the painting without knowing the woman’s identity. Instead, the story went that she was the White Lady—a friendly ghost who, together with Kragerup’s owls, watched over the estate and the family.

Birgitte Dinesen, 8th generation of the Dinesen family at Kragerup, grew up with the story:

“This is Gertrude, the ghost of our house. She comes riding through the park every night when the tower clock strikes 12. But that’s just a story. Every castle and estate has a story about a white lady. The portrait is unidentified, which is why we call her Gertrud – our house ghost.”

The story of the White Lady was a natural part of life at Kragerup. As a child, Birgitte learned that the many people who had lived on the estate over the centuries were still part of the place:

“When I was little in this house and I was home alone, my mom always said: Never be afraid, because you’re never alone. There have been so many people living in this house who have been so happy to be here. We may bury them in Ørslev Cemetery, but they always come home and look after you.”

The mystery is solved

For many years, the woman in the portrait remained a mystery. It wasn’t until 2025 that the mystery was solved when the curator from the National Museum visited Kragerup. She recognized the woman in the painting and was able to reveal that the white lady was not Gertrud at all. The woman was Christine Andreasdatter Fogh.

Born and raised at Kragerup

Christine Andreasdatter Fogh was born at Kragerup around 1727 and spent virtually her entire life on the estate. Together with her siblings, she took over Kragerup in 1764, and from 1794 to 1797 she was the sole owner of the estate. As an unmarried woman and estate owner in the 18th century, she was an extraordinary figure, responsible for the land, buildings, and people.

The Woman Behind the New Main Building

In 1797, Christine Fogh sold Kragerup to chamberlain Peder Lauritsen Bech, but she never left her home. It was written into the deed that she and her maid, Dorthe Catrine Schiødt, could live on the estate for the rest of their lives.

When Jens Kraft Dinesen purchased Kragerup in 1801, he therefore also assumed responsibility for the two women. Later, when he decided to tear down the old main building and construct the one that still stands today, his finances came under strain. This is when Christine Fogh stepped in and provided a loan of no less than 70,000 rigsdaler, secured by a mortgage on Kragerup. In return, it was agreed that she and her maid could continue to live on the estate for the rest of their lives.

Christine Fogh thus lived at Kragerup for at least 77 years and witnessed both the old estate and the construction of the new one.

More than a myth

Christine Fogh was not merely a quiet figure in a portrait. Sources describe her as a strong-willed estate owner who was repeatedly involved in conflicts and lawsuits with both farmers and employees. She was a prominent figure who left her mark on Kragerup at a time when few women wielded such influence.

Kragerup’s white lady

Today, the portrait still hangs in the dining room at Kragerup. Where previously people saw an unknown woman and told stories about the white lady, we now know that the painting depicts Christine Andreasdatter Fogh.

Perhaps that’s why the story has lived on through generations. Because if anyone should watch over Kragerup Gods, it would be the woman who was born on the estate, owned it and never really left it.

The white lady

For many years, a portrait of an unknown woman has hung in the elegant dining room at Kragerup Gods. Generation after generation, the family has gazed at the painting without knowing the woman’s identity. Instead, the story went that she was the White Lady—a friendly ghost who, together with Kragerup’s owls, watched over the estate and the family. Birgitte Dinesen, 8th generation of the Dinesen family at Kragerup, grew up with the story: “This is Gertrude, the ghost of our house. She comes riding through the park every night when the tower clock strikes 12. But that’s just a story. Every castle and estate has a story about a white lady. The portrait is unidentified, which is why we call her Gertrud – our house ghost.” The story of the White Lady was a natural part of life at Kragerup. As a child, Birgitte learned that the many people who had lived on the estate over the centuries were still part of the place: “When I was little in this house and I was home alone, my mom always said: Never be afraid, because you’re never alone. There have been so many people living in this house who have been so happy to be here. We may bury them in Ørslev Cemetery, but they always come home and look after you.” The mystery is solved For many years, the woman in the portrait remained a mystery. It wasn’t until 2025 that the mystery was solved when the curator from the National Museum visited Kragerup. She recognized the woman in the painting and was able to reveal that the white lady was not Gertrud at all. The woman was Christine Andreasdatter Fogh. Born and raised at Kragerup Christine Andreasdatter Fogh was born at Kragerup around 1727 and spent virtually her entire life on the estate. Together with her siblings, she took over Kragerup in 1764, and from 1794 to 1797 she was the sole owner of the estate. As an unmarried woman and estate owner in the 18th century, she was an extraordinary figure, responsible for the land, buildings, and people. The Woman Behind the New Main Building In 1797, Christine Fogh sold Kragerup to chamberlain Peder Lauritsen Bech, but she never left her home. It was written into the deed that she and her maid, Dorthe Catrine Schiødt, could live on the estate for the rest of their lives. When Jens Kraft Dinesen purchased Kragerup in 1801, he therefore also assumed responsibility for the two women. Later, when he decided to tear down the old main building and construct the one that still stands today, his finances came under strain. This is when Christine Fogh stepped in and provided a loan of no less than 70,000 rigsdaler, secured by a mortgage on Kragerup. In return, it was agreed that she and her maid could continue to live on the estate for the rest of their lives. Christine Fogh thus lived at Kragerup for at least 77 years and witnessed both the old estate and the construction of the new one. More than a myth Christine Fogh was not merely a quiet figure in a portrait. Sources describe her as a strong-willed estate owner who was repeatedly involved in conflicts and lawsuits with both farmers and employees. She was a prominent figure who left her mark on Kragerup at a time when few women wielded such influence. Kragerup’s white lady Today, the portrait still hangs in the dining room at Kragerup. Where previously people saw an unknown woman and told stories about the white lady, we now know that the painting depicts Christine Andreasdatter Fogh. Perhaps that’s why the story has lived on through generations. Because if anyone should watch over Kragerup Gods, it would be the woman who was born on the estate, owned it and never really left it.

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Regitze Sophie Dinesen

Birgitte Dinesen

Marie Luise Dinesen

The white lady

The white lady

Regitze Sophie Dinesen

Birgitte Dinesen

Marie Luise Dinesen