Early Life
Friede Springer was born Friede Riewerts on August 15, 1942, in Oldsum, Föhr, Germany. She initially trained as a hotel manager but did not complete her training. In 1965, she started working as a nanny for the Springer family.
Rise to Success
Friede Springer's life took a significant turn when she married Axel Springer in 1978, becoming his fifth wife. She was instrumental in securing the company's future after Axel's death in 1985. She played an active role in the company during her husband's lifetime. She became the manager of Axel Springer and the sole executive manager of Springer Holding. She systematically bought back shares and regained control of the business.
Key Business Strategies
After Axel Springer's death, Friede Springer led the company through significant transformations. In 2002, she appointed Mathias Döpfner as the new CEO, who successfully relaunched the company in the digital media market. To ensure the company's continuity, in 2020, Friede Springer transferred a 15% stake in Axel Springer to Mathias Döpfner and sold him an additional 4.1%. In 2023, over 85 percent of Axel Springer's revenue was generated from digital sources.
Philanthropy
Friede Springer actively participates in philanthropy, chairing the Friede Springer Foundation, the Axel Springer Foundation, and the Friede Springer Heart Foundation.