Did Bach have a hard life?

Answer 1

Bach was generally well-paid and enjoyed a respected position, which ensured him material comfort and some prosperity. On the other side, he was a very busy and stressed man, which not only had to compose or perform lots of music in a very short time, but also had academic and administrative chores and responsibilities, and had 20 children with two wives - though only 10 survived to adulthood.

It was after his death, that his widow and his youngest children faced harsh times and managed badly, since in those times there were almost no ways for a widow to earn a life when the head of family died.