"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Contestant Stumbles on Struwwelpeter Question and Leaves Empty-Handed
- by Eugen Epp
Millionaire Contestant Leaves Show Empty-Handed: Participant Walks Away with No Euros Won - Contender Walks Away with No Euro in Millionaire Contest
In a fast-paced round on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", returning contestant Andy Sischka passed on the 125,000-euro question, unable to identify the film featuring Lady Di's death as a key plot point ("Amélie"). With 64,000 euros in his pocket, he bid goodbye.
Richard Tornau took his place, but his appearance was short-lived. He handled the initial questions with ease, but stumbled on a 500-euro question.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?": Mystifying Question Leaves Contestant Flustered
"What medical condition is humorously depicted in the famous book, Der Struwwelpeter?" Günther Jauch asked. The answer choices were: unbrushed teeth, uncombable hair, unwashed ears, uncuttable fingernails.
Confused, the 30-year-old from near Munich remembered "an extremely messy hairstyle" but thought "there was something about fingernails too." Tornau chose fingernails - and was eliminated. If he'd answered correctly, he would have at least secured 500 euros. A misfortune, especially considering he still had all four lifelines left.
It appears that there is no real-life medical condition referred to as "Struwwelpeter Syndrome". The term originates from Heinrich Hoffmann's 19th-century book, which features a series of cautionary tales, but it doesn't relate to any specific medical condition.
Günther Jauch Offers Consolation
"You gave it a good try," Jauch had to tell his contestant. Richard Tornau's disappointment was evident. "It happens," he shrugged. Jauch could still offer a glimmer of hope. "We sometimes hold 'Best of Losers' rounds," he said. "With 500 euros, you'd never have a chance to come back here. Now, with zero euros, I see opportunities."
It's uncommon for a contestant to leave with nothing in the show's over 25-year history. The last time this happened was in May 2024. Prior to that, every contestant took home at least 500 euros for three years. Lately, a contestant lost their three-million-euro prize in an unusual twist.
Transparency note: Stern is part of RTL Germany.
[1] Note: There is no medical condition known as "Struwwelpeter Syndrome" in the current medical literature, and it does not relate to any specific psychiatric or developmental disorder.
- With the 500-euro question about the medical condition in the famous book Der Struwwelpeter, Richard Tornau stumbled and was eliminated, missing an opportunity to secure at least 500 euros despite having all four lifelines left.
- If Richard Tornau had correctly identified that "uncombable hair" is the medical condition humorously depicted in Der Struwwelpeter, he would have been a millionaire contender, as he was still in the game with 64,000 euros.
- Who's the next millionaire who might overtake the famous book character Struwwelpeter and make history on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" That unknown individual will undoubtedly face challenging questions, yet they stand a chance to become a millionaire like Andy Sischka, who escaped with 64,000 euros despite passing on the 125,000-euro question.
