Pathetic Facts

German music stars who deceased at age 47

Here are 14 famous musicians from Germany died at 47:

Heinz Winkler

Heinz Winkler (July 7, 1910 Chemnitz-June 25, 1958) was a German politician.

Heinz Winkler served as a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and was a member of the Reichstag from 1932 until its dissolution in 1933. After the Nazis came to power and banned the SPD, Winkler briefly fled to Czechoslovakia before returning to Germany to engage in underground resistance activities against the Nazi regime. He was eventually arrested in 1941 and imprisoned until the end of the war. Following Germany's surrender, Winkler helped to rebuild the SPD and was elected to the Bundestag in 1953, where he served until his death in 1958. He was a strong advocate for workers' rights and social justice, and his legacy as a courageous opponent of Nazi tyranny lives on today.

Heinz Winkler was born into a working-class family in Chemnitz, Germany. He left school at the age of 14 to work as an apprentice in a metal factory. However, he continued his education at night school and became involved in socialist politics at a young age. He joined the SPD in 1927 and quickly rose up the ranks in the party.

Winkler was a talented orator and became known for his impassioned speeches advocating for workers' rights and social justice. He was elected to the Reichstag in 1932 as the youngest member of the SPD caucus. However, his political career was cut short when the Nazis came to power and banned the SPD. Winkler was forced to go into hiding and was eventually arrested in 1941.

While in prison, Winkler continued to organize resistance activities against the Nazi regime. He was released from prison by American troops in 1945 and immediately became involved in rebuilding the SPD. He played a key role in the party's reorganization and was elected to the Bundestag in 1953.

Winkler remained a staunch advocate for workers' rights and social justice throughout his political career. He was known for his fiery speeches and unwavering commitment to his principles. His death in 1958 was a great loss to the SPD and to the cause of democracy in Germany. However, his legacy as a brave and principled opponent of tyranny and oppression continues to inspire people today.

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Bengt Nölting

Bengt Nölting (May 1, 1962-September 16, 2009) otherwise known as Bengt Nolting was a German personality.

He was a well-known television and radio presenter, actor, and author. Nölting began his career in the late 1980s as a radio host for the youth program "Hessiscope." He then moved on to television, hosting various programs and appearing in several German TV series.

Nölting was also a published author and wrote several books, including a children's book in 2008. He was a supporter of the German LGBT community and used his platform to advocate for their rights.

Sadly, Nölting passed away in 2009 due to complications from HIV. He was widely mourned by his fans and colleagues, who remembered him for his talent and his activism.

Nölting was born in Frankfurt, Germany and grew up in Offenbach. In addition to his work in radio and television, he also briefly pursued a career as a musician and performed with a local band. However, it was his work in the media that ultimately brought him the most recognition. His television work included hosting a popular game show and several travel programs. Nölting was known for his charming personality and his ability to connect with his audience.

In addition to his media work and activism on behalf of the LGBT community, Nölting was also involved in several charitable organizations. He was a supporter of organizations working to combat HIV/AIDS and frequently spoke out about the need for better awareness and care. After his death, many of his fans and colleagues continued to honor his memory through events and donations to HIV/AIDS organizations.

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Joseph Goebbels

Joseph Goebbels (October 29, 1897 Rheydt-May 1, 1945 Berlin) also known as Paul Joseph Goebbels, Doctor Goebbels, Josef Goebbels, The Malicious Dwarf, The Nazi Megaphone, Bumsbeen, Nachgedunkelter Schrumpfgermane or Joseph Paul Goebbels was a German politician, screenwriter and author. He had six children, Helmut Christian Goebbels, Helga Susanne Goebbels, Heidrun Elisabeth Goebbels, Holdine Kathrin Goebbels, Hedwig Johanna Goebbels and Hildegard Traudel Goebbels.

Joseph Goebbels was one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates and a prominent member of the Nazi Party. He served as Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to 1945, using his skills in communication and manipulation to shape public opinion in Germany and beyond. Goebbels was also a fierce anti-Semite and played a key role in the implementation of the Final Solution, the Nazi plan for the genocide of European Jews. His suicide, along with the murder of his wife and children, came in the final days of World War II as Allied forces closed in on Berlin. He remains a controversial figure and a symbol of the worst atrocities of the Nazi regime.

Joseph Goebbels was born into a Catholic family in Rheydt, Germany. He was the son of a factory clerk and his wife, who both had strict religious beliefs. Goebbels had a clubfoot, which led to him being rejected from military service in World War I. Instead, he earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Heidelberg in 1921.

Goebbels became involved in politics in the early 1920s and joined the Nazi Party in 1924. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of Hitler's closest confidantes. Goebbels' main role in the party was to control the propaganda machine, which he did with great success. He used radio broadcasts, films, newspapers and posters to spread the Nazi message and create a cult of personality around Hitler.

As Minister of Propaganda, Goebbels was responsible for the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, which controlled all forms of media in Germany. He was also in charge of the press, censorship, propaganda, and was a force behind Nazi art, music, and literature.

Goebbels married Magda Quandt in 1931, and they went on to have six children. In the final days of World War II, as Allied forces closed in on Berlin, Goebbels and his wife decided to kill themselves and their children rather than face capture by the enemy. The children were first given opium to make them unconscious, and then poisoned with cyanide tablets. Goebbels shot his wife and then himself.

He died caused by suicide.

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Rudolf II, Count Palatine of the Rhine

Rudolf II, Count Palatine of the Rhine (August 8, 1306 Wolfratshausen-October 4, 1353 Neustadt an der Weinstraße) also known as Rudolf II, Duke of Bavaria was a German personality. He had one child, Anne of Bavaria.

Rudolf II was a member of the House of Wittelsbach, a powerful dynasty in Germany during the Middle Ages. He inherited the title of Count Palatine of the Rhine from his father, and later became Duke of Bavaria upon the death of his brother in 1339.

During his time as Duke of Bavaria, Rudolf II was known for his love of luxury and extravagance. He spent large sums of money on building projects, art collections, and hunting expeditions. He was also a patron of the arts, and his court in Munich attracted many artists and writers.

Rudolf II's reign was marked by conflict and instability. He was involved in several wars with neighboring states, including Austria and Bohemia. He also faced challenges from within his own family, as his half-brother Louis IV attempted to claim his titles and territories.

Despite these challenges, Rudolf II was a respected leader in Bavaria and beyond. He was known for his intelligence and strategic thinking, and was admired for his diplomacy and negotiation skills.

Rudolf II died in 1353 and was succeeded by his daughter Anne, who became the first Queen of Bohemia. Today, he is remembered as an important figure in the history of Bavaria and the wider German region.

In addition to his love of luxury and patronage of the arts, Rudolf II was also a devout Christian. He founded several monasteries and churches during his reign, and was known for his support of the Catholic Church. Rudolf II was also an avid collector of relics, and is said to have possessed a piece of the True Cross, which he kept in a golden casket.

Despite his conflicts with neighboring states, Rudolf II maintained diplomatic relationships with many of his fellow rulers. He was particularly close with the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles IV, who regarded Rudolf II as a trusted advisor.

Rudolf II's legacy also includes his contributions to the development of Bavarian law. He established a legal code that united the various regions of his duchy and served as a model for other German states.

Today, Rudolf II is often depicted in popular culture as a symbol of the extravagance and excesses of the medieval period. However, his reign was also marked by significant cultural and artistic achievements, making him an important figure in the history of Germany and Europe.

Georg Heinrich Thiessen

Georg Heinrich Thiessen (January 19, 1914 Eddelak-July 3, 1961) was a German personality.

He was a physicist and chemist who is best known for discovering the phenomenon now called the Thiessen polygons. Thiessen studied at the University of Hamburg and went on to work for the German Weather Service. During World War II, he worked for the German Army as a meteorologist, but after the war, he moved to the United States to continue his work in atmospheric science. Thiessen's work on the statistical analysis of weather patterns led to the development of the Thiessen polygons, which are used to estimate precipitation and other weather variables. In addition to his scientific work, Thiessen was also a talented musician, playing the violin and composing music. He died in a car accident in 1961 at the age of 47.

Thiessen's contributions to the field of atmospheric science were significant and have continued to impact weather analysis and mapping today. The Thiessen polygons are still widely used for calculating areal precipitation, and his research in this field laid the groundwork for further development of hydrological models. In the latter part of his career, Thiessen worked at the US Weather Bureau and contributed to the development of the first automated weather observing system. He was awarded the Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award by the American Meteorological Society in 1955 for his contributions to the science of meteorology. Thiessen is also remembered for his love of music, and his compositions for violin include a concerto and several sonatas. Thiessen's life was cut tragically short, but his impact on both science and music is still felt today.

Hermann Heinrich Gossen

Hermann Heinrich Gossen (September 7, 1810 Düren-February 13, 1858 Cologne) was a German economist.

He is best known for his work, "Entwickelung der Gesetze des menschlichen Verkehrs und der daraus fließenden Regeln für menschliches Handeln," published in 1854, which introduced the concept of marginal utility. In this work, he argued that the value of a good or service to an individual depends on the marginal utility, which is the utility gained from consuming an additional unit of that good or service. This concept was later developed by other economists such as William Stanley Jevons, Carl Menger, and Léon Walras, and became a cornerstone of modern microeconomics. Despite his contributions to the field, Gossen's work was largely overlooked during his lifetime, and he died in relative obscurity. It was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that his ideas gained wider recognition and appreciation.

Gossen was born in Düren, Germany, and studied mathematics and physics at the University of Berlin. After completing his studies, he worked as a civil servant in various government offices in Cologne, where he developed an interest in economics. He became frustrated with the prevailing economic theories of the time, which he thought were overly abstract and detached from real-world problems.

In his groundbreaking work, "Entwickelung der Gesetze des menschlichen Verkehrs und der daraus fließenden Regeln für menschliches Handeln," Gossen sought to develop a more practical and empirically based approach to economics. He based his analysis on the idea that human behavior is subject to empirical laws, similar to those found in the natural sciences.

Gossen's work was ahead of its time and not widely recognized in his lifetime. His writing was difficult to understand, and he lacked the support of influential economists of his time. However, his ideas were eventually rediscovered and became a foundational element of neoclassical economics.

Today, Gossen is regarded as one of the pioneers of the marginalist revolution in economics, which transformed the way economists think about the value of goods and services and the behavior of individuals in markets. His work influenced later generations of economists and helped to lay the foundation for the emergence of modern microeconomics.

Hans Krebs

Hans Krebs (March 4, 1898 Helmstedt-May 1, 1945 Berlin) was a German personality.

Hans Krebs was a highly respected biochemist and physician who made significant contributions to the field of metabolism research. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1953 for his discovery of the citric acid cycle, which is also known as the Krebs cycle. He received his medical degree from the University of Berlin and began his research career there. His work in the 1930s was overshadowed by political events, especially the rise of Nazism, which drove many Jewish and non-Aryan scientists out of their academic positions. Despite this, Krebs continued his research, and after World War II, he was invited to work at the University of Oxford in England. However, he decided to stay in Germany, and tragically, he took his own life shortly before the end of the war. Despite his untimely death, Hans Krebs's contributions to biochemistry and medicine remain highly significant to this day.

Krebs was known for his ability to think critically and to develop innovative experimental methods. He worked on the metabolism of cancer cells and was among the first researchers to suggest that cancer cells have altered metabolism compared to normal cells. Krebs was also interested in the problem of diabetes and investigated how the body metabolizes glucose. He discovered the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in 1937, which plays a key role in glucose metabolism.

Krebs was a member of the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences of the United States, and the French Academy of Sciences. In addition to the Nobel Prize, he received numerous other awards and honors during his lifetime. The Krebs cycle, which he discovered, is a central component of cellular respiration and is studied by biochemists and medical researchers around the world.

Krebs was survived by his wife and three children. His legacy continues to inspire scientists and researchers in the field of biochemistry and medicine.

He died in suicide.

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Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner

Johann Karl Friedrich Zöllner (November 8, 1834 Berlin-April 25, 1882 Leipzig) also known as Johann Karl Friedrich Zollner was a German astrophysicist.

He is renowned for his work on spectroscopy, particularly his investigations into the spectra of comets which he used to determine their chemical composition. Zöllner was also interested in the study of binary stars, and proposed a method to determine their masses by analyzing their spectral lines. In addition to his work in astrophysics, Zöllner was an accomplished mathematician, publishing papers on complex analysis and geometry. He was a professor at the University of Leipzig, where he founded the Institute of Astrophysics. Despite suffering from poor health throughout his life, Zöllner made significant contributions to the field of astrophysics and remains a prominent figure in the history of astronomy.

Zöllner's interest in astronomy was sparked at an early age when he observed a solar eclipse. He studied mathematics and physics at the University of Berlin, where he earned his doctorate in 1860. After earning his degree, he spent several years as an assistant astronomer at the Berlin Observatory, where he continued his studies of comets and binary stars.

In addition to his work in astrophysics, Zöllner was also involved in spiritualism, a movement popular in the late 19th century which claimed to communicate with the dead. He believed that there were connections between astronomy and spiritualism, and conducted experiments to try to prove it. However, his spiritualist beliefs were not widely accepted by the scientific community, and he faced criticism for his involvement in the movement.

Despite his controversial views, Zöllner made many important contributions to the field of astrophysics. His work on spectroscopy helped lay the foundations for modern astrophysics, and his method for determining binary star masses is still used today. Zöllner died in 1882 at the age of 47, but his legacy lives on in the contributions he made to the field of astronomy.

Karl Liebknecht

Karl Liebknecht (August 13, 1871 Leipzig-January 15, 1919 Berlin) also known as Karl Paul August Friedrich Liebknecht was a German politician.

Karl Liebknecht was a prominent figure in the socialist movement in Germany during the early 20th century. He was a co-founder of the Spartacus League, which later became the Communist Party of Germany. He was known for his advocacy of revolutionary socialism and his opposition to World War I, which he saw as a conflict between imperialist powers.

As a member of the Reichstag, Liebknecht was a vocal critic of the German government and supported the Russian Revolution. He was also a key figure in the January 1919 Spartacus Uprising, which aimed to establish a socialist state in Germany.

Liebknecht's death was shrouded in controversy. He was killed along with fellow socialist leader Rosa Luxemburg during the suppression of the Spartacus Uprising by the German government. While official reports claimed that they were killed while trying to escape, it is widely believed that they were executed by members of the German army or paramilitary groups.

Despite his controversial legacy, Liebknecht remains an influential figure in the history of socialism and communism in Germany, and his ideas continue to inspire leftist movements around the world.

Karl Liebknecht was born into a family of prominent socialists. His father, Wilhelm Liebknecht, was a well-known socialist politician and a close associate of Karl Marx. Karl Liebknecht's socialist upbringing had a profound influence on his political views and activism.

Before entering politics, Liebknecht earned a law degree and practiced law for several years. He also served as a member of the Prussian parliament and the Reichstag, where he was known for his fiery speeches and radical views.

Throughout his political career, Liebknecht remained committed to revolutionary socialism and the overthrow of capitalism. He saw World War I as an opportunity to mobilize the proletariat against the ruling classes and actively worked to undermine the war effort.

While some of Liebknecht's methods were controversial, he was widely respected by many on the left for his unwavering dedication to socialist ideals. His death, along with that of Rosa Luxemburg, became a rallying cry for revolutionaries in Germany and around the world.

Today, Karl Liebknecht is remembered as a brave and passionate advocate for socialism, whose commitment to justice and equality inspired generations of left-wing activists.

He died in firearm.

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Johann Joachim Becher

Johann Joachim Becher (May 6, 1635 Speyer-October 1, 1682 London) was a German physician and chemist.

He studied medicine and natural philosophy at the University of Mainz, and later earned a degree in medicine from the University of Basel. Becher is known for his work on the classification of chemical substances, which he published in his book "Physica Subterranea." He also contributed to the development of porcelain and glassmaking in Europe, and was one of the first to suggest that the elements could be separated by distillation. Becher's work was influential in the early development of chemistry, and he is considered one of the pioneers of the field. Despite his contributions to the world of science, Becher struggled financially throughout his life and eventually died in poverty.

In addition to his scientific work, Becher was also involved in politics and economics. He served as a physician to various European royal families, including the court of King Charles II in England. Becher was also a strong advocate for economic reform and proposed several schemes for improving trade and industry in Europe, including a plan to establish a centralized state bank. Becher's economic ideas were ahead of their time and were often met with resistance from the ruling classes. Despite his struggles, Becher's legacy lives on through his contributions to the field of chemistry and his innovative economic and political ideas.

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Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg

Gerhard III, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg (April 5, 1292-April 1, 1340 Randers) was a German personality. His children are Henry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg and Nicholas, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg.

Gerhard III was a member of the House of Schauenburg and ruled over the region of Holstein-Rendsburg in northern Germany during the late Middle Ages. He was known for his successful military campaigns, particularly his victories against the Danish kingdom, which allowed him to expand his territories and increase his power. Gerhard III also had a strong interest in the arts and was a patron of literature and music. He supported the work of the poet and musician Walther von der Vogelweide and is credited with commissioning the famous sculpture of the Madonna and Child that still stands in the St. Mary's Church in Rendsburg.

In addition to his military and cultural achievements, Gerhard III was also a skilled diplomat. He worked to establish alliances with neighboring rulers, including the Margrave of Brandenburg and the Duke of Mecklenburg, to ensure the safety and prosperity of his territories. He also played a key role in the political and economic development of the region, supporting the growth of trade and commerce and overseeing the construction of new roads and bridges. Despite his successes, Gerhard III's reign was not without controversy. He faced opposition from some members of the nobility and was criticized for his harsh treatment of rebellious subjects. Nonetheless, he remains one of the most significant figures in the history of Holstein-Rendsburg and his legacy continues to be celebrated in the region to this day.

Christoph Gottfried Bardili

Christoph Gottfried Bardili (May 18, 1761 Blaubeuren-June 5, 1808 Württemberg) was a German philosopher.

He studied at Tübingen University, where he began developing his philosophical ideas influenced by Immanuel Kant and Johann Georg Heinrich Feder. Bardili became a professor of philosophy at the University of Tübingen in 1789 and held the position until his death. His most important work is his "Logic", in which he presented a rigorous system of logic based on Kant's transcendental philosophy. Bardili also wrote on metaphysics, ethics, and political philosophy. He was a strong advocate of the Enlightenment and believed in the power of reason to create a just and morally upright society. Despite his relatively short life, Bardili's contributions to the development of German philosophy were significant, and he was highly respected by his contemporaries.

Bardili's ideas gained a following among the Romantic movement, particularly through his emphasis on the interrelationship between ethics and aesthetics. He also had an impact on the development of Idealism and helped to build a bridge between the work of Kant and the later philosophers such as Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. In addition to his philosophical work, Bardili was also interested in education reform and worked to improve the educational system in Württemberg. He was a member of a number of learned societies, including the Royal Society of Sciences in Göttingen and the Deutsche Gesellschaft in Leipzig. A statue of Bardili stands in Tübingen today, where he is remembered as one of the most important philosophers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Johannes Max Proskauer

Johannes Max Proskauer (December 5, 1923 Göttingen-December 20, 1970 Berkeley) was a German personality.

He was a renowned scientist and professor of biochemistry who made significant contributions to the study of enzymes and metabolism. Born to a Jewish family in Göttingen, he fled Nazi Germany in 1937 with his family and settled in the United States. Proskauer earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry at Columbia University in 1950 and conducted research at various institutions before joining the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley in 1961. He was known for his innovative approach to studying enzymes and is credited with discovering the Proskauer-Beck reaction, a test used to identify certain types of bacteria. Proskauer was also deeply involved in advocating for civil rights and social justice causes, and his activism influenced many of his students and colleagues. He died at the age of 47 from complications related to leukemia.

During his career, Johannes Max Proskauer published numerous papers on biochemistry and enzymology, and his research helped shape the field. He was known for his keen ability to think creatively and approach scientific problems from multiple angles. His legacy continues to influence the work of biochemists around the world. In addition to his scientific contributions, Proskauer was also a dedicated activist. He was involved in the civil rights movement and marched with Martin Luther King Jr. during the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. He was also a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and worked to promote peace and justice throughout his life. Proskauer was remembered by his colleagues and students as a brilliant scientist and a tireless champion for social change.

Johann Christoph Döderlein

Johann Christoph Döderlein (January 20, 1745 Bad Windsheim-December 2, 1792 Jena) a.k.a. Johann Christoph Doderlein was a German personality.

He was a linguist and philologist who made significant contributions to the study of the German language. Döderlein was a professor at the University of Jena, where he published numerous works on philology that were highly regarded in his time. In addition to his scholarship, he was also known for his involvement in the literary and cultural circles of his day, and he counted many prominent writers and figures of the Enlightenment among his friends and acquaintances. Despite his contributions to German scholarship, Döderlein's legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by his more famous contemporaries, such as Goethe and Schiller.

Döderlein was born into a family of scholars and was mentored by his father, who was a professor of theology. He received his education from the University of Altdorf and later went on to study at the University of Wittenberg. After completing his education, he served as a pastor in several small towns before finally settling in Jena, where he was appointed professor of rhetoric and poetics at the university.

Döderlein's most significant contribution to the field of German language studies was his work on grammar. His most famous work, "Von der teutschen Sprache," was a comprehensive study of the German language that was widely used as a textbook for many years. He also wrote extensively on the history of the German language, as well as on dialects and regional variations.

In addition to his academic work, Döderlein was involved in the literary and cultural circles of his day. He was a close friend of the poet Friedrich Schiller and corresponded frequently with other prominent writers of the Enlightenment, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Unfortunately, Döderlein's life and work were cut short when he died unexpectedly at the age of 47. Despite this, his contributions to German scholarship continue to be recognized today, and he is still considered an important figure in the history of linguistics and philology.