Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Friede Springer


Friede Springer (née Riewerts; born 15 August 1942) is a publisher and principal owner of , Europe's largest digital publishing house by revenue, which includes major outlets such as Bild and Welt.
Originally employed as a for Axel Springer's children in 1965, she married the media magnate in 1978—his fifth wife—and inherited a controlling stake in the company following his death in 1985. As vice chairwoman of the , she has played a key role in maintaining the firm's editorial principles, including staunch support for , transatlantic alliances, and the state of , while overseeing strategic decisions such as share repurchases and expansions into digital .
Through the Friede Springer Foundation and Desiderius Erasmus Foundation, she funds projects promoting , democratic values, and social welfare, reflecting her commitment to the legacy of her late husband. Her influence extends to , including awards for global economic contributions and support for Jewish causes, positioning her as one of Germany's wealthiest individuals with a tied to the media conglomerate's performance.

Early Life and Personal Background

Childhood and Education

Friede Springer, née Riewerts, was born on 15 August 1942 in Oldsum, a village on the North Frisian island of , . She grew up in a modest rural household tied to her father's business, with her parents being a master and a teacher. The island's isolated, agrarian environment shaped her early years, fostering a desire to seek opportunities beyond Föhr as a . Following basic schooling, Riewerts pursued vocational training as a clerk or manager, reflecting practical ambitions suited to her background. However, she abandoned the prematurely, transitioning instead to employment as a in mainland by 1965. No records indicate further formal education, underscoring her self-reliant path from rural origins.

Family Origins and Early Influences

Friede Springer, born Friede Riewerts on 15 August 1942 in Oldsum on the North Frisian island of , , hailed from a modest working-class family. Her father worked as a , while her mother served as a housekeeper, providing a practical, rural upbringing amid Föhr's agricultural landscape of farming and . This environment shaped her early professional trajectory, leading her to complete an apprenticeship as a clerk after education in . At age 23, she entered domestic service as a , responding to a newspaper advertisement that brought her into the household in 1965, marking a pivotal shift from island roots to urban media circles. Her background in caregiving and vocational training underscored a hands-on approach that later informed her resilience in business leadership.

Marriage to Axel Springer and Transition to Prominence

Meeting and Relationship with Axel Springer

Friede Springer, born Friede Riewerts on August 15, 1942, in Oldsum on the island of , entered the household of in 1965 at the age of 23, when she was hired as a for his two sons from previous marriages in Hamburg-Blankenese. Prior to this role, she had apprenticed as a clerk and worked in the business, reflecting her modest family background as the daughter of a gardener and a housekeeper. , born in 1912 and 30 years her senior, was by then a prominent media publisher who had founded Verlag, having been married four times previously. Over the subsequent years, their professional acquaintance evolved into a relationship, with Riewerts becoming Springer's partner by the mid-1970s, as evidenced by their public appearance together at the International Radio Exhibition in in 1977. This occurred amid Springer's challenges, including the 1980 of his son Sven Simon (born Axel Springer Jr. in 1941), a and . The couple married in 1978, marking Riewerts as Springer's fifth wife; during this period, Springer began involving her in aspects of the business, preparing her for future responsibilities despite her lack of prior experience. Their marriage lasted until Axel Springer's death on September 22, 1985, from cancer, after which Friede Springer, now adopting his surname, assumed a significant role in preserving his legacy. The relationship, spanning from her hiring in 1965 to his passing, was characterized by a substantial age gap and her transition from domestic employee to spouse and eventual business steward, though it drew attention for its unconventional origins within circles.

Inheritance and Initial Challenges Post-1985

Following Axel Springer's death on September 22, 1985, his widow Friede Springer inherited approximately one-quarter of the shares in the newly public AG, alongside children and grandchildren from his previous marriages, as stipulated in the publishing trust structure he established prior to his passing. The company's transition to a earlier that year, amid a volatile debut that raised over 500 million Deutsche Marks, introduced immediate financial and pressures, exacerbating the power vacuum left by Springer's absence. The period immediately after 1985 was marked by intense internal conflicts, including a protracted power struggle between the heirs—spearheaded by Friede Springer—and company executives, culminating in the family's consolidation of control by April 1988. Friede Springer, lacking prior operational experience in the , navigated these disputes by aligning with family members to outmaneuver management factions seeking greater , thereby preserving familial oversight of the enterprise valued at billions in . This resolution involved strategic share acquisitions, including repurchasing stakes held by external investors such as , which had gained a foothold post-IPO. Further challenges arose from ongoing familial tensions, leading Friede Springer to buy out dissenting heirs in the years following, which solidified her dominant position but strained relations, as later evidenced by claims from Axel Springer's grandson of being systematically marginalized from inheritance entitlements. These maneuvers ensured continuity of the founder's vision amid economic headwinds, including early adaptation struggles to a public company's regulatory demands and market fluctuations, setting the stage for her long-term stewardship.

Role in Axel Springer SE

Supervisory Board Involvement and Leadership

Friede Springer became a member of the of in 1985, immediately following the death of her husband and company founder . She was elected Vice Chairwoman of the board in 1999, a position she has retained amid successive corporate transformations. As the company's principal shareholder at the time of her husband's passing, Springer exerted considerable influence over strategic oversight, including the appointment of key executives and the stewardship of major investments. In September 2020, she transferred a 4.1% stake from the Friede Springer Foundation to CEO , designating him as her successor and aligning ownership to facilitate long-term decision-making. This move, valued at approximately €280 million, positioned Döpfner to acquire additional shares through options, consolidating control between them at nearly 98% of the company by 2024. Under her vice chairmanship, the Supervisory Board approved pivotal restructurings, such as the 2024 separation of Axel Springer's classifieds businesses (sold to and ) from its core media operations, allowing Springer and Döpfner to retain full ownership of the latter. In April 2025, the board was streamlined to three members effective August 1, with Jan Bayer appointed chairman, Springer continuing as vice chairwoman, and Johannes P. Huth joining as the third member; she publicly acknowledged prior chairman Ralph Büchi's role in prior transformations. This configuration underscores her ongoing leadership in prioritizing journalistic independence and operational focus amid ownership shifts.

Preservation of Axel Springer's Core Principles

Friede Springer, as vice chairwoman of the of since the company's early post-founder years, has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the "Essentials"—the core journalistic and corporate principles established by in , which include commitment to , support for , reconciliation between Jews and Germans, backing for Israel's right to exist, and defense of Western values against . These principles, contractually for employees and enshrined in the company's , emphasize individual liberty and transatlantic alliances, reflecting 's anti-communist stance during the . Under her influence as a major shareholder holding significant equity alongside CEO —collectively controlling nearly 98% of the firm following the 2024 restructuring—decisions have prioritized alignment with these tenets over short-term commercial dilutions. Her oversight ensured the continuity of these values amid ownership transitions, such as the 2019 agreement with , where contractual safeguards preserved strategic control for Springer family interests, preventing external investors from overriding . In 2024–2025 corporate restructurings, including delisting from public markets and splitting classifieds from news operations, Friede Springer endorsed structures that refocused the entity on "news media and media services" under private ownership, explicitly to "unlock future growth potential" while upholding the Essentials amid digital disruptions. She publicly affirmed this commitment, stating in September 2024 that decades of achievements stemmed from fidelity to the founder's vision, enabling resilience against pressures like algorithmic biases in tech platforms that could erode pro-freedom . Friede Springer's dedication extends to practical enforcement, including her support for initiatives like the Freedom Foundation, which perpetuates the founder's aid to dissidents and political prisoners, aligning with the principle of defending liberty globally. Through board appointments, such as backing Döpfner—whose leadership has reaffirmed pro- and Atlanticist positions—she has resisted internal drifts toward relativism, as evidenced by the company's 2021 public doubling down on support for as the region's sole amid rising anti-Western narratives in . This stewardship, spanning nearly four decades since Axel Springer's death, has maintained the firm's distinct ideological profile, contrasting with peers influenced by progressive consensus in German publishing.

Philanthropic Endeavors

Establishment and Activities of the Friede Springer Foundation

The Friede Springer Foundation was established on December 1, 2010, by Friede Springer as a non-profit entity under German civil law. The foundation operates independently of political or religious affiliations, with a focus on advancing philanthropic objectives that benefit society in material, intellectual, and cultural domains. Its endowment stood at approximately 150 million euros as of 2020, enabling sustained grant-making across multiple fields. The foundation's statutory purposes encompass the promotion of scientific research and , and , general and , and initiatives strengthening democratic , alongside other charitable endeavors. It prioritizes projects that foster knowledge advancement and societal resilience, reflecting Springer's personal commitment to fields like and tolerance without corporate ties to . Key activities include funding endowed professorships—currently seven across various universities, designed for five-year terms with potential permanence thereafter—and doctoral scholarships in , targeting topics such as in firms, , and economics. In science and health, it supports specialized centers like the Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention , emphasizing personalized interventions for heart disease prevention. Culturally, the foundation underwrites the Prize for , Understanding, and Respect for Differences at the , awarded periodically to recognize efforts against intolerance. Additional grants aid education, spiritual care training programs, and tolerance initiatives, including collaborations with institutions like to promote historical reconciliation. In 2020, it received the Wissenschaftsstiftung des Jahres award from the Stifterverband for its broad, disinterested support of interdisciplinary research.

Involvement in Health and Global Initiatives

Through the Friede Springer Foundation, established in 2010, Friede Springer has funded key initiatives in global child health, including the creation of the Friede Springer Endowed Professorship for Global Child Health at Witten/Herdecke University in October 2017, the first such position in Germany. This professorship emphasizes research, education, and training to address disparities in pediatric care worldwide, incorporating a global health track in the university's medical program, interdisciplinary summer schools for health professionals, and advanced modules in international health master's programs. A prominent project under this professorship is "Paediatricians for Malawi," which responds to the acute shortage of pediatric specialists in the country by funding the training of seven Malawian doctors at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and providing six-month practical placements for German trainee pediatricians in resource-limited settings. Led by Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Weigel, the initiative aims to reduce infant mortality through enhanced local training capacity and sustainable international cooperation, with German placements recognized by the Medical Association of Westphalia-Lippe. Collaborations extend to partnerships with the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Foundation for further specialist training and the establishment of the Else Kröner Malawi Child Health Centre. In cardiovascular health, Springer supports the Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center at – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, which pursues precision prevention strategies against heart disease through multidisciplinary, evidence-based research across the lifespan. The center's flagship , launched in a pilot phase through 2025 with plans for a main study in 2026, will examine up to 5,000 participants aged 18–70 to identify risk factors and personalize therapies, integrating clinical diagnostics, , nutrition, and digital tools. On a broader global scale, Springer co-founded the Virchow Foundation for in October 2021 through her foundation, which promotes health as a universal right and aligns with UN for well-being for all. The foundation administers the Virchow Prize, first awarded in October 2022, to recognize innovations and equity in , fostering awareness and partnerships for systemic advancements.

Political Engagement and Ideological Stance

Support for Conservative Values and Anti-Totalitarianism

Friede Springer has consistently upheld the core principles established by her late husband, , which emphasize conservative values such as advocacy for a economy, alliances, and the defense of , while explicitly rejecting all forms of . As deputy chair of the at and a major shareholder, she has ensured the company's adherence to these tenets, originally codified in 1967, requiring employees to endorse opposition to alongside support for Israel's right to exist, German unity in , and political liberty. This commitment reflects a broader conservative orientation, prioritizing individual s and market principles over collectivist ideologies, as evidenced by the company's ongoing promotion of partnerships and rejection of . Her personal dedication to anti-totalitarian ideals is highlighted by her receipt of the Freedom Award from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in 2020, a recognition aligned with classical liberal-conservative advocacy for individual liberty and opposition to authoritarianism. In accepting the award, Springer described freedom not merely as an abstract right but as a responsibility to report truthfully and fairly, underscoring its role in sustaining open societies against suppressive regimes. This stance echoes Axel Springer's classical adherence to totalitarianism theory, which equated communist and right-wing authoritarian systems as threats to human dignity, a perspective she has preserved through her oversight of the company's journalistic guidelines. Springer further demonstrated her anti-totalitarian position by signing a 2009 declaration commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Hitler-Stalin Pact, which condemned both National Socialism and Communism as twin evils of the 20th century and pledged commitment to freedom and democracy over dictatorial rule. Under her influence, Axel Springer SE has applied these principles contemporarily, such as in its strong condemnation of Russian aggression in Ukraine as an assault on free societies, donating €500,000 to support affected civilians in 2022 and honoring leaders like Volodymyr Zelenskyy for resisting authoritarian expansion. These actions maintain the firm's historical anti-communist and pro-freedom legacy, positioning it as a bulwark against totalitarian tendencies in media and politics.

Criticisms of Left-Leaning Narratives in Media

Friede Springer has played a pivotal role in preserving Axel Springer's founding principles, known as the Essentials, which include an explicit rejection of political in all forms, encompassing , , and of both left and right. These principles, formulated in 1967 and embedded in employment contracts, serve as a bulwark against left-leaning narratives that historically justified authoritarian control under ideological guises, such as those promoted by the radical student movements of the that Axel Springer directly criticized for undermining democratic freedoms. Through her oversight as chairwoman of the supervisory board since 1985, Springer has ensured that the company's outlets, including Bild and Die Welt, challenge dominant media orthodoxies often aligned with left-wing perspectives, such as uncritical endorsements of collectivist policies or suppression of dissenting views on issues like and national sovereignty. For instance, Bild has repeatedly targeted "do-gooders" (Gutmenschen), a term critiquing naive or ideologically driven left-liberal approaches to that prioritize moral posturing over empirical outcomes, as seen in coverage of crises where mainstream outlets emphasized humanitarian narratives at the expense of security concerns. Springer has voiced concerns about threats to journalistic independence from political pressures, drawing parallels to authoritarian restrictions in regimes like , implicitly countering left-leaning calls for media regulation under pretexts of combating "hate speech" or , which often disproportionately target conservative viewpoints. In a 2025 interview, she stressed, "We want a free press and ; that is important for our survival," highlighting risks from governmental overreach that echo historical leftist efforts to curtail press freedom in divided . This stance extends to modern cultural debates, where under Springer's influence has resisted "" conformism in journalism, as evidenced by internal defenses against politically correct biases in coverage of and Western alliances—core Essentials commitments. Company directors have publicly rebuked "" journalists for skewed Gaza reporting that downplays threats to , aligning with Springer's pro-transatlantic and pro-Israel priorities that challenge prevailing anti-Western narratives in European media.

Recognition and Public Perception

Awards and Honors Received

In 1996, Friede Springer was awarded the Großes Verdienstkreuz (Grand Cross of Merit) of the of the Federal Republic of , recognizing her extensive social and cultural commitments, including and media stewardship. On September 16, 2014, she accepted the Award from the on behalf of her late husband , honoring his legacy of support for and Jewish causes, as well as her own continued efforts in fostering German-Jewish reconciliation. In 2019, the conferred an honorary doctorate upon her for her steadfast commitment to reconciliation between and , alongside her philanthropic support for education and cultural initiatives. On February 26, 2025, Springer received the honorary citizenship of —the city's highest distinction—for her entrepreneurial leadership at , foundational philanthropy via the Friede Springer Foundation, and contributions to Berlin's scientific, artistic, and cultural landscape, including funding for research and tolerance programs.

Media and Public Assessments

Friede Springer is frequently portrayed in German media as a discreet and modest leader who has maintained a low public profile despite her pivotal role as the largest shareholder and deputy chairwoman of SE's . Outlets describe her as publicity-shy, preferring to avoid the spotlight and public speaking, which she finds challenging, even as she navigates major corporate decisions since inheriting control following her husband's death on September 22, 1985. Business and media analyses credit her with resilient stewardship, transforming from a traditional print publisher into a digitally oriented global enterprise through strategic moves like digital acquisitions and divestitures of underperforming assets, such as the Hamburger Abendblatt and Hörzu. This has positioned the company as a leader in the industry, with her appointments of key executives like underscoring her acumen in preserving and advancing the firm's market dominance. Public assessments, including from biographical profiles, regard her as one of Germany's most significant media entrepreneurs, instrumental in the company's internet-era adaptation and commitment to core values like press freedom and tolerance, for which she received the Freiheitspreis in 2020. Her emphasis on —stating she would never criticize published articles—reinforces perceptions of her as a non-interfering guardian of journalistic principles, though coverage in Axel Springer-affiliated outlets like WELT tends to be particularly laudatory, reflecting the company's self-interest in highlighting her stabilizing influence. Criticisms of Springer personally remain sparse, largely due to her reserved demeanor, with media scrutiny more often directed at the company's stances or under Döpfner rather than her oversight role; left-leaning sources occasionally link her foundation's ties to figures like to broader institutional critiques, but without substantive personal .

Controversies and Debates

Allegations of in Axel Springer Operations

Axel Springer's media operations have long been accused of embedding conservative biases into editorial content, a legacy critics attribute to founder Axel Springer's explicit principles favoring , Western alliances, and staunch . These allegations portray as blending journalism with , exemplified by historical campaigns against Social Democrats, trade unions, and peace movements, as well as more recent opposition to policies like the 2007 introduction and certain measures. Flagship outlet Bild has drawn particular scrutiny for its right-wing populist framing, including amplification of anti-migrant narratives and nationalist positions on borders, earning repeated sanctions from the German Press Council—more than 200 since 1986, with 26 in 2021 alone—for ethical lapses such as , altered quotes, and privacy invasions. Contemporary claims focus on rigid enforcement of pro- stances, highlighted by the October 20, 2023, dismissal of 20-year-old apprentice Kasem Raad during his probationary period, after he internally queried the company's policy and posted a video disputing the military's October 7, 2023, account of attacks; supervisors linked the termination to these actions, though no performance issues were cited. Leaked messages from CEO , exposed in April 2023, intensified accusations of top-down interference, including 2021 instructions to Bild editor to bolster Free Democratic Party coverage to enable a post-election, alongside 2017 remarks embracing ("I am all for ") as beneficial for civilization and favoring over efforts. Döpfner's texts also lauded Donald Trump's actions, such as suggesting a after the 2020 Soleimani strike, and assailed Angela Merkel's COVID policies—positions clashing with Friede Springer's expressed admiration for Merkel—yet she has sustained Döpfner's leadership since consolidating control post-1985, prompting claims that oversight under her shareholding perpetuates ideological priorities over neutral reporting. These episodes, largely advanced by left-leaning publications and activists ideologically opposed to Axel Springer's codified commitments to , Israel support, and anti-totalitarianism, underscore debates over whether such operations reflect principled consistency or undue bias suppressing diverse viewpoints.

Defenses of Journalistic Independence and Principles

Friede Springer has underscored journalistic as an obligation to report with wisdom, truthfulness, and fairness, a stance recognized by her 2020 Freedom Award from the for advancing press and free expression. As deputy chair of Axel Springer's and a major holding approximately 22.5% of shares as of , she has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the company's founding commitments to editorial amid ownership changes and external pressures. Axel Springer's defenses of independence rest on its 1967 "Essentials," which mandate advocacy for German unity in , reconciliation between and , support for Israel's right to exist, defense of political against , and the promotion of a economy with —principles that guide but do not dictate daily reporting, preserving editorial discretion. These tenets, inherited from founder and upheld by Friede Springer following his 1985 , reject ideological and emphasize factual, over alignment. Operational safeguards include the 2021 Guidelines for Journalistic Independence, which enforce strict separation between editorial content and —requiring distinct and prohibiting advertiser sway—while barring personal or business interests from influencing coverage, such as through gift restrictions or source verification protocols. Editors-in-chief bear responsibility for compliance, aligning with German Press Code standards and broader ethical norms to mitigate bias risks. In addressing bias allegations, such as those over Gaza coverage in 2024-2025, Axel Springer affirmed its reporting's integrity via internal reviews finding no accuracy lapses or undue influence, positioning adherence to the Essentials as a bulwark against external narratives rather than a source of slant. Corporate transactions, including the 2024 media division spin-off controlled by Friede Springer and CEO Mathias Döpfner, incorporate explicit protections for these principles, ensuring investor pacts—like those with KKR—do not compromise autonomy. This framework counters claims of proprietary control by prioritizing verifiable, principle-bound journalism over commercial or political expediency.

References

  1. [1]
    Friede Springer - Forbes
    Friede Springer inherited a stake in media giant Axel Springer Verlag from her husband, Axel, following his death in 1985. · Hired as the nanny of his two sons, ...Missing: biography facts
  2. [2]
    Friede Springer - Media Ownership Monitor
    Sep 9, 2024 · Dr Friede Springer, born Riewerts on 15 August 1942 in Oldsum on the island of Föhr, is the daughter of a master gardener and a home ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  3. [3]
    Executive Board - Axel Springer
    h. c. Friede Springer. Vice Chairwoman. Download mediakit Image and CV ... The Supervisory Board of Axel Springer SE is composed of three members, who ...
  4. [4]
    [PDF] Dr. hc Friede Springer
    She is the Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer SE and chairs her two foundations: The Friede Springer Foundation supports mainly ...
  5. [5]
    Friede Springer - Kiel Institute
    Friede Springer, born August 15, 1942, in Oldsum on the island of Föhr, is a German publisher. She is the majority shareholder and Vice Chairwoman of the ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  6. [6]
    Friede Springer: Wie vier Märchen aus 1001 Nacht - Die Furche
    Das erste „Märchen“ beginnt 1965: Friede Riewerts ist in einem Gärtnereibetrieb auf Föhr aufgewachsen und möchte weg von der Insel. ... In den letzten beiden ...
  7. [7]
    Meet Mrs Citizen Kane | This is Money
    The fifth wife and widow of publisher Axel Springer was born in 1942, the daughter of a gardener, on the island of Fohr in the North Sea. Educated in Hamburg, ...Missing: upbringing | Show results with:upbringing
  8. [8]
    Meet Mrs Citizen Kane | London Evening Standard
    Apr 12, 2012 · Educated in Hamburg, she worked in the hotel business and then became a nanny. Hired as an au pair by the Springer household, she fell in love ...
  9. [9]
    Can Axel Springer do the 'impossible'? (Part 1) - WAN-IFRA
    ... Axel's fifth wife, who had been the nanny to his two sons. Axel and the 30-years-younger Friede were married in 1978, seven years before his death, which ...
  10. [10]
    How Axel Springer changed everything - Flashes & Flames
    May 11, 2019 · ... Axel (30 years her senior), whom she met when hired as a nanny to his two sons. They were married in 1978, seven years before Springer's death.<|separator|>
  11. [11]
    Why Not Television, Too? - Axel Springer SE
    Jul 7, 2025 · Axel Springer with his partner Friede Riewerts (right) at the International Radio Exhibition in West Berlin, 1977 © Photo: Unternehmensarchiv ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  12. [12]
    Axel Springer - Biography - IMDb
    Springer grew up with his parents in Hamburg. After finishing school in 1928, he completed an apprenticeship as a printer at his father's publishing house.Missing: early education
  13. [13]
    Axel Springer's media assets to be split off in €13.5bn KKR deal
    Sep 19, 2024 · The 82-year-old Friede Springer, the widow of the founder, Axel Springer, whom she fell in love with while working as his son's nanny at the ...
  14. [14]
    Insight - Failed FT bid shows Axel Springer caught between tradition ...
    Jul 30, 2015 · Friede's involvement dates back to the 1980s, when she inherited about a quarter of Axel Springer shares. The Springer family's former nanny ...
  15. [15]
    THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Springer Heirs Gain Control in Power Fight
    Apr 21, 1988 · Before his death, Axel Springer converted his empire into a joint stock company. Under a complicated formula, his heirs and executors were given ...Missing: inheritance | Show results with:inheritance
  16. [16]
    Enter the 21st century - Axel Springer
    Jul 30, 2025 · When he concluded an agreement with the Burda brothers in March 1988 to jointly represent their interests in Springer, Friede Springer acted ...Missing: childhood education
  17. [17]
    Powerful going into the 21st century - Axel Springer
    Apr 9, 2020 · Servatius considers the development “resolute”, while Friede Springer declared herself “happy” with this step and in spite ofdespite all the ...Missing: childhood education
  18. [18]
    Always full speed ahead - Axel Springer
    May 5, 2022 · The death of the publisher in 1985 left a power vacuum in the publishing house. ... ” The situation culminated in a palpable power struggle ...
  19. [19]
    How Axel Springer can be a digital media champion
    Apr 25, 2014 · But, perhaps, one result was that Friede Springer seemed unprepared for the demands of the business she inherited in 1985, the year it floated.<|control11|><|separator|>
  20. [20]
    Axel Springer's grandson claims he was cheated out of his inheritance
    Apr 29, 2012 · Axel Cäsar Springer founded Axel Springer GmbH in Hamburg in 1946. Friede, the family nanny, became his fifth wife in 1978. He groomed her ...Missing: origins early background
  21. [21]
    [PDF] Dr. hc Friede Springer
    Dr h. c. Friede Springer, born in 1942 in Oldsum (Föhr), is the widow of Axel Springer and has been married to him from 1978 until his death in 1985.Missing: early life
  22. [22]
    Supervisory Board - Axel Springer SE
    Portrait of Jan Bayer. Jan Bayer. Chairman of the Supervisory Board ; Friede Springer. Dr. h. c. Friede Springer. Vice Chairwoman ; Johannes P. Huth.
  23. [23]
    Friede Springer names Mathias Döpfner her successor
    Sep 24, 2020 · Mathias Döpfner acquires 4.1 percent of the Axel Springer SE shares from the Friede Springer foundation. Additionally, he will receive 15 ...
  24. [24]
    Mathias Döpfner acquired additional 4.1% minority stake in Axel ...
    Mathias Döpfner acquired additional 4.1% minority stake in Axel Springer SE from Friede Springer for approximately €280 million on September 23, 2020.
  25. [25]
    Axel Springer Announces New Corporate Structure to Unlock Future ...
    Sep 19, 2024 · Under the ownership of Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner, Axel Springer to become a privately owned and operated news media and media ...
  26. [26]
    Jan Bayer to Succeed Ralph Büchi as Chairman of ... - Axel Springer
    Apr 29, 2025 · Friede Springer, Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board: “Ralph Büchi has guided us through many phases of transformation and played a major ...<|separator|>
  27. [27]
    Axel Springer Overhauls Supervisory Board as It Completes Split
    Apr 29, 2025 · Axel Springer SE will overhaul its supervisory board, reducing it to three members, and appoint a new chairman, Jan Bayer, effective August 1.
  28. [28]
    Axel Springer Implements New Corporate Structure
    Apr 29, 2025 · Jan Bayer, Deputy CEO and President News Media USA of Axel Springer, will leave the Executive Board on July 31, 2025.
  29. [29]
    Freedom - Axel Springer
    You can find more information here. Axel Springer believed that freedom meant the freedom of every individual to live their life and to make decisions freely. ...Missing: core | Show results with:core
  30. [30]
    The Essentials show what Axel Springer stands for
    Jun 23, 2025 · The media company's most important value is its commitment to freedom. A history of corporate principles.Missing: maintenance | Show results with:maintenance
  31. [31]
    Axel Springer, the Media Magnate Who Repaired German-Israeli ...
    May 7, 2013 · Springer's enthusiastic pro-Israel stance, no matter how well-intentioned, caused plenty of controversy among the recipients of his good will.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  32. [32]
    KKR offers 40% premium to buy out Axel Springer minorities | Reuters
    The offer, made in concert with main shareholders led by founder Axel Springer's 76-year-old widow Friede, would guarantee her a say over strategy even if KKR ...
  33. [33]
    Away from the stock market and stronger for the future - Axel Springer
    Jun 23, 2025 · Friede Springer, who has had to make important decisions since her ... The Essentials. What we have adapted – and why. Essentials. 06.10 ...<|separator|>
  34. [34]
    History – Axel Springer Freedom Foundation
    The jury's statement said: “Friede Springer is a laureate with a clear profile in a time of unclear circumstances. She is not only representative of Axel ...Missing: origins background
  35. [35]
    Axel Springer doubles down on pro-Israel support in lead-up to ...
    Sep 3, 2021 · Axel Springer is guided by a list of core principles, known internally as the “essentials,” that promote a “united Europe” and the “trans- ...Missing: Friede legacy
  36. [36]
  37. [37]
    Über uns - Friede Springer Stiftung
    Sie verfolgt philanthropische Ziele und wird die Allgemeinheit auf materiellem, geistigem und kulturellen Gebiet fördern.Missing: Gründung Zweck Projekte
  38. [38]
    Friede-Springer-Stiftung - Wikipedia
    Dezember 2010 von der Verlegerin Friede Springer gegründet. Förderung der Wissenschaft in Forschung und Lehre, Kunst und Kultur, der Erziehung, Allgemein- und ...Missing: Gründung | Show results with:Gründung
  39. [39]
    Friede Springer on her commitment to science and the Voltaire Prize
    Mar 19, 2020 · In 2010, publisher and entrepreneur Friede Springer founded the “Friede Springer Foundation”. With an endowment capital of 150 million euros ...Missing: activities | Show results with:activities
  40. [40]
    Friede Springer Foundation - Universität Halle
    May 21, 2025 · The Friede Springer Foundation supports science, art and culture, general and vocational education, and other charitable purposes.Missing: early life childhood
  41. [41]
    [PDF] eine Maßnahme zur Bestandssicherung von Zeitungsverlagen
    Auch die Friede-Springer-Stiftung ist vom Verlag getrennt. Sie ist keine Unternehmens- stiftung, sondern ausdrücklich das persönliche Projekt von Friede ...
  42. [42]
    Friede Springer Stiftung: Deutsche Universitätsstiftung - DUS
    Gefördert werden insbesondere wissenschaftliche, künstlerische und kulturelle Vorhaben.Missing: Zweck | Show results with:Zweck
  43. [43]
    Friede Springer Doctoral Scholarships - fundsforNGOs - Grants and ...
    Friede Springer Doctoral Scholarships · The Role of Trust in Firms and with its Stakeholders · Change Management in Firms and Markets · Health Care Economics and ...Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  44. [44]
    3 Fragen zum Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prävention Center
    Jun 22, 2023 · Besonders wichtig ist uns dabei die Untersuchung von neuen Interventionen für eine personalisierte Herz-Kreislauf-Prävention. Außerdem werden ...
  45. [45]
    Findings from a Spiritual and Existential Care Training Program ...
    Feb 18, 2025 · The SpECi intervention project was funded by Stiftung Wohlfahrtspflege NRW and the Friede Springer Foundation and was supported by Diakonie ...
  46. [46]
    Friede Springer Stiftung, Germany - Yad Vashem
    Sein Eintreten für die deutsch-jüdische Aussöhnung und die Förderung von Toleranz wird von Friede Springer persönlich sowie durch die Friede Springer Stiftung ...Missing: Projekte Beispiele
  47. [47]
    Friede Springer Stiftung ist Wissenschaftsstiftung des Jahres
    Feb 28, 2020 · Die Friede Springer Stiftung ist eine großzügige und uneigennützige Förderin sämtlicher Fachdisziplinen. Diese Stiftung trägt maßgeblich dazu ...Missing: Zweck | Show results with:Zweck
  48. [48]
    Friede-Springer endowed professorship for Global Child Health
    Jun 3, 2021 · The Friede Springer Endowed Professorship. is the first. German professorship for Global Child Health. and has been located at ...
  49. [49]
    Paediatricians for Malawi - Witten/Herdecke University
    The project at the Friede-Springer Endowed Professorship for Global Child Health is a response to the acute shortage of paediatricians in Malawi,<|control11|><|separator|>
  50. [50]
    Friede Springer Cardiovascular Prevention Center @Charité
    We investigate the development of cardiovascular diseases in a holistic and multidisciplinary manner.Missing: Foundation projects
  51. [51]
    Founders - Virchow Foundation - The Virchow Prize
    Dr h.c. Friede Springer is the Vice Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer SE and holds the chairmanship of her two foundations: The Friede ...
  52. [52]
    What Defines Us - Axel Springer
    At Axel Springer, freedom is not just a value; it is our guiding principle. We stand firm in its defense, recognizing that freedom is the catalyst for ...Missing: Friede | Show results with:Friede
  53. [53]
    A life dedicated to freedom - Axel Springer SE
    Nov 30, 2021 · ... essentials – principles with which Walden could also identify. Axel and Friede Springer in conversation with Teddy Kollek, mayor of ...
  54. [54]
    A declaration to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hitler-Stalin-Pact
    Today, in 2009, when we look back on the history of Europe and Germany in the 20th century, we are mindful of the evils of Nazism/National Socialism, and we are ...
  55. [55]
    Bild, Merkel and the culture wars - Germany - The Guardian
    Jul 16, 2020 · According to the Bild worldview, the best way to counter the left is to portray its demands as totalitarian, and the best way to kill off the ...
  56. [56]
    I believe our company is well positioned. - Axel Springer
    Jun 23, 2025 · Conversation with Friede Springer about IPOs, delisting, financial investors, and what concerns her today.
  57. [57]
    Axel Springer director attacks 'woke' Politico journalists over Gaza ...
    Mar 18, 2025 · A director of the German media group behind Politico has criticised “woke” journalists in a row over an article about Israel's bombing of Gaza.
  58. [58]
    Board of Trustees - Virchow Foundation
    In 1996, Friede Springer was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  59. [59]
    Axel Springer's legacy continues - World Jewish Congress
    Sep 16, 2014 · The WJC's Theodor Herzl Award this year was bestowed posthumously on the late publisher Axel Springer. His widow Friede Springer received the award.Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  60. [60]
    Hebrew U leads Israel in number of PhDs this year | Israel National ...
    Shlomo Riskin. The list also includes honorary degrees for Judea Pearl of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, for Germany's Axel Springer media magnate Friede Springer ...
  61. [61]
    Verleihung der Ehrenbürgerwürde an Friede Springer - Berlin.de
    Am 26. Februar 2025 wurde Dr. h.c. Friede Springer im Festsaal des Roten Rathauses zur Ehrenbürgerin von Berlin ernannt. Der Regierende Bürgermeister Kai ...
  62. [62]
    2025-02-27 Friede Springer erhält die Ehrenbürgerwürde Berlins
    Feb 27, 2025 · Am 26. Februar 2025 wurde Friede Springer im Roten Rathaus mit der Ehrenbürgerwürde des Landes Berlin ausgezeichnet. Im Rahmen des Festaktes ...
  63. [63]
    Friede Springer - "Ich würde nie einen Artikel in unseren Zeitungen ...
    Sep 24, 2015 · Friede Springer gilt als öffentlichkeitsscheu und bescheiden. Reden zu halten, in der Öffentlichkeit stehen, das falle ihr immer noch schwer ...Missing: Bewertung | Show results with:Bewertung
  64. [64]
    Friede Springer: Selbst ist die Frau - WELT
    May 14, 2019 · Die Medien von Friede Springer zerstören nicht die freiheitlichen Grundlagen, ohne die es sie gar nicht geben könnte. Das ist heute ...Missing: Bewertung | Show results with:Bewertung
  65. [65]
    Springer, Friede - Picture Alliance
    German publisher Friede Springer, born Aug. 15, 1942, on the island of Föhr, is one of the most important media entrepreneurs in Germany. In 1978, she married ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  66. [66]
    German government plans propaganda agency in response to “fake ...
    Jan 9, 2017 · Merkel's husband, Joachim Sauer, sits on the board of trustees of the Friede Springer Foundation and receives €10,000 per year in compensation, ...
  67. [67]
    The Scandalous History of America's Newest Media Baron
    Jan 6, 2022 · The new owner of Politico, Axel Springer, has a decades-long record of bending journalistic ethics for right-wing causes.
  68. [68]
    Bild - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check
    This one-sided framing reflects Bild's typical populist-nationalist bias: favoring strong border measures, amplifying political figures who support restriction, ...
  69. [69]
    Germany: Axel Springer fires employee for allegedly questioning pro ...
    Kasem Raad, a 20-year-old apprentice at the company, was summarily fired last week after questioning the company's Israel policy through internal channels.<|separator|>
  70. [70]
    'I'm all for climate change': Axel Springer CEO faces heat over ...
    Apr 13, 2023 · He said he held “no prejudices” against east Germans or Muslims, but he was concerned about the success of the far right in the east and radical ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  71. [71]
    [PDF] Environmental, Social & Governance Report 2023 | Axel Springer
    Jul 16, 2024 · Among other things, the Code of Conduct covers corporate principles and values, our Essentials, management principles, journalistic.
  72. [72]
    [PDF] Guidelines for journalistic independence at Axel Springer
    The guidelines substantiate Axel Springer's understanding of the applicable legal framework, ethical standards and journalistic principles. Adherence to these ...Missing: Friede defense<|separator|>
  73. [73]
    Politico owner's director attacks 'woke' journalists over Gaza ... - Yahoo
    Mar 18, 2025 · Axel Springer has an explicitly pro-Israel stance in its reporting, with employees in Germany required to sign a mission statement ...Missing: narratives | Show results with:narratives
  74. [74]
    KKR announces public takeover offer for Axel Springer SE
    ... Friede Springer and CEO Mathias Döpfner. Both hold a total of 45.4 percent ... The investor agreement also provides that Axel Springer's journalistic independence ...