Friede Springer

$4.43 B

Ranked #967 in World

About Friede Springer

Friede Springer, born on August 15, 1942, in Oldsum, Föhr, Germany, is the main owner of Axel Springer SE, a leading European media company. As a German publisher and the widow of Axel Springer, she controls the conglomerate that publishes Bild, Europe's largest newspaper. Originating from humble beginnings as a gardener's daughter, Springer joined the Springer household in 1965 and became Axel’s fifth wife in 1978. After his death, she secured managerial control over Springer AG and later appointed Mathias Döpfner as chairman in 2002. Currently, Springer is the deputy chairwoman and largest shareholder of the company, with an estimated net worth of $5.1 billion. She holds prestigious awards and is actively engaged in philanthropy through numerous foundations.

Born

August 15, 1942 in Oldsum, F�hr, Germany

Age

83 years

Source Of Wealth

Publishing

Industries

Media & Entertainment

Citizenship

Germany

Residence

Berlin

Spouse

Axel Springer (1978‏–1985)

Friede Springer, born Friede Riewerts on August 15, 1942, in Oldsum, Föhr, Germany, is a German publisher and the widow of Axel Springer. She is the main owner of the Axel Springer SE media conglomerate, which includes Europe's largest newspaper, Bild. Friede Springer is the daughter of a Frisian gardener and worked as a nanny at the Springer family's home from 1965.

Friede Springer: Family

Friede Springer became Axel Springer's lover and partner and married him in 1978, becoming his fifth and last wife. She is a member of the Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Germany.

Friede Springer: Career Highlights

After Axel Springer's death, Friede Springer inherited his shares in his publishing trust along with his children and grandchildren from prior marriages. She became the manager of Axel Springer AG and the sole executive manager of Springer Holding. Friede Springer led the Springer heirs in buying back company shares from the Burda brothers in 1988 and bought out family members' shares, taking over their stakes. In 2002, she installed Mathias Döpfner as the new chairman of the board.

Friede Springer: Companies

Friede Springer is the deputy chairwoman on the supervisory board of Axel Springer AG and the largest shareholder of the company. She owns 5.6% of Springer AG's stocks directly and has a 90% shareholding in Axel Springer Gesellschaft für Publizistik GmbH & Co. KG, which holds a 51.5% stake in Axel Springer AG.

Friede Springer: Major Achievements

Friede Springer has achieved significant success in the media industry. She has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of the Axel Springer SE media conglomerate and has played a key role in shaping the German media landscape. Friede Springer is also known for her philanthropic activities and has been involved in various charitable initiatives.

Friede Springer: Awards & Achievements

Friede Springer has received numerous decorations and awards in recognition of her contributions to the media industry and her philanthropic work.

These include the Order of Merit of Berlin, the Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Leo Baeck Price.

Friede Springer: Personal Life & Legacy

Friede Springer is known for her private and reserved nature. She has been married to Axel Springer since 1978 and has no children of her own. Friede Springer is a strong advocate for press freedom and has been involved in various initiatives to promote independent journalism.

Friede Springer: Trivia

Friede Springer is a passionate art collector and has a significant collection of contemporary art. She is also known for her love of classical music and has been a patron of various cultural institutions.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 15, 1942

Friede Riewerts is born in Oldsum, Föhr, Germany.

1965

Friede Riewerts starts working as a nanny at the Springer family's home.

1978

Friede Riewerts marries Axel Springer, becoming his fifth and last wife.

1988

Friede Springer leads the Springer heirs in buying back company shares from the Burda brothers.

2002

Friede Springer installs Mathias Döpfner as the new chairman of the board of Axel Springer AG.

Friede Springer : FAQs

What is Friede Springer's current net worth?

Friede Springer's current net worth is $4.43 billion.

What is Friede Springer's current global rank among billionaires?

Friede Springer holds the 967th position globally among billionaires.

What is Friede Springer's current ranking within the Germany?

Friede Springer holds the 61st position in Germany.

What was the change in Friede Springer's net worth compared to the previous year?

Friede Springer's net worth increased by 1.2 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when her net worth was 3.23 billion dollars.

What are Friede Springer's main sources of wealth?

Friede Springer's main source of income comes from Publishing.

In which industry does Friede Springer primarily operate?

Friede Springer is primarily involved in the Media & Entertainment industry.

How old is Friede Springer?

Friede Springer is 83 years old.

Who is Friede Springer and what is her connection to the Axel Springer SE media company?

Friede Springer, born on August 15, 1942, in Germany, is a distinguished German publisher and the widow of Axel Springer. She is the main owner of the Axel Springer SE media conglomerate, known for publishing Europe's largest newspaper, Bild, making her one of the wealthiest individuals in Germany.

What was Friede Springer's early life and career before marrying Axel Springer?

Before marrying Axel Springer, Friede, the daughter of a Frisian gardener, began working as a nanny for the Springer family in 1965. She eventually developed a close relationship with Axel, becoming his lover and later his fifth wife in 1978. Aside from her personal life, she is a member of the Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Germany.

How did Friede Springer's role in the company evolve after her husband's death?

Following Axel Springer's death, Friede inherited shares of his publishing trust alongside his children and grandchildren from previous marriages. She rose to become the manager of Axel Springer AG and later the sole executive manager of Springer Holding, solidifying her management role within the company.

What strategic decisions did Friede Springer make that shaped the direction of Axel Springer SE?

Friede Springer has played a pivotal role in the direction of Axel Springer SE by leading the heirs in repurchasing company shares from the Burda brothers in 1988. She further consolidated control by buying out other family members' shares and in 2002, appointed Mathias Döpfner as the new chairman of the board, influencing the company’s leadership.

What is Friede Springer's current position, and how does she impact Axel Springer AG's ownership?

Currently, Friede Springer serves as the deputy chairwoman on the supervisory board of Axel Springer AG. She is the largest shareholder of the company, directly owning 5.6% of Springer AG's stocks and controlling a 90% shareholding in Axel Springer Gesellschaft für Publizistik which holds a 51.5% stake in the company, thus having a decisive influence on its operations.