In October 1848, Schliemann became engaged to Sophie Hecker in St. Petersburg, but after a short time, the engagement came to an end. He had in vain also made several courtesy visits to Ekaterina Lyshina for some time. But after his return from his trip to America, she received him in a friendly manner. On October 24, 1852, Schliemann married his beloved. Heinrich described her as a Russian woman with great physical and mental advantages. Ekaterina came from an influential family of lawyers. Her father was one of the richest men in the city and had been honored with the highest honors of the Czar's house. Ekaterina and Heinrich Schliemann had three children together: Sergey (1855-ca.1939), Natalia (1859-1869), and Nadeshda (1861-1935), and despite that, no deep love and intimacy developed. Schliemann traveled a lot, showing no consideration for the children's birth dates or family highlights. When he considered moving his residence to Germany or France, his wife refused. The Russian-Orthodox marriage was divorced on June 30, 1869, in Indianapolis. Still in December of the same year, a tragic event shook the Schliemanns. Daughter Natalia died at the age of 10 of a rare disease.
"Marriage is not difficult here, especially in my position. [...] If I waited until autumn, they would give me the richest and most beautiful. Unfortunately I have no patience and intend to take the one my inclination was aimed at soon after Easter, before I became known to Sophie. [...] She is a pretty, very clever Russian, has little or no fortune." H.S: Hier fehlt noch die Quelle.