Saying Hello to Charlotte Merz, the Judge Behind the Chancellor
Living individual Charlotte Merz resides in the Sauerland region, as previously mentioned.
Glimpses of Friedrich Merz's family are scarce in public eye - although his wife of over forty years has been by his side for decades. And with his role as Chancellor, their bond might grow even more elusive. So, who's the lady keeping a low profile in the Sauerland? Charlotte Merz, a busy judge, prefers her daily commute like everyone else.
The Berlin spotlight shone brightly on Charlotte during the Bundestag Chancellor election. The cameras captured her stunned expressions alongside their daughters Carola and Constanze, watching as Friedrich Merz's bid faltered in the first round. Following his triumphant election, Charlotte was seen chatting amicably with potential officials.
Though the new Chancellor's wife won't be a common sight in Berlin, she made it clear before the election that her home is still in the Sauerland, where she'll continue her judicial work.
Merz: Criticize Me, Not My Family!
In an honest chat with RTL soon after assuming office, Friedrich Merz asked his loved ones to step back from the political limelight. He's eager to shield them from public scrutiny.
"I plead for any critical comments to be directed at me rather than my children or family," expressed Merz. He also highlighted that he is the first Chancellor since 1998 to be a father again.
A Love Story of Yeses and Nos... and a Supportive Family
Charlotte and Friedrich have a history that dates back to 1980, when they crossed paths at a legal gathering at the University of Bonn. Love at first sight for Charlotte, but Friedrich took his time to catch up. They tied the knot in 1981, and soon enough, a child was added to the family. "It wasn't planned, but we were happy," Charlotte reminisced. They went on to welcome two more kids.
Born in 1961 in the Saarland, Charlotte is the eldest of five children in a family of lawyers. In 1994, the family settled in Arnsberg, Sauerland, where Charlotte took on her judicial duties at the local district court.
Merz, the People's Champ - with His Own Plane!
In 2016, Charlotte took charge of the office but continued her judicial work handling family matters like divorces and custody cases.
"I passed my first state exam with a kid and by my second, I had two. It was only manageable because I and my husband took turns caring for the children," she shared. "There's just no truth in the claims about Friedrich's views on women."
Charlotte showed her support for Friedrich at the CDU party conference in May 2024. A journalist from the satirical ZDF-"heute-show" questioned Friedrich about the Leitkultur issue, to which Charlotte promptly silenced the microphone, stating, "Leitkulture first and foremost means asking if one wishes to provide an answer."
Charlotte Merz: A Woman of Normalcy
The Friedrich-and-Charlotte-Merz Foundation, an educational initiative, was launched jointly, aiming to support education, training, and upbringing in the Arnsberg city area. School projects aiming to reduce the number of repeaters are among the initiatives funded by the Foundation.
Though Friedrich's new role might result in reduced visits to the Sauerland region, Charlotte has plans to maintain her ordinary life there. "I intend to keep living in Sauerland as I have, with my judicial work and my role as the head of the local court - I want to commute to work just like before."
Source: ntv.de, Katharina Wiechers, AFP
- Friedrich Merz
- Federal Chancellery
- CDU
- Government
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Charlotte Merz, Friedrich Merz's wife and a judge, is involved in the Friedrich-and-Charlotte Merz Foundation, an educational initiative that offers community aid, including vocational training, in the Arnsberg city area.
- Despite being the first Chancellor since 1998 to be a father again, Friedrich Merz requested that any critical comments be directed at him rather than his family, including his children, during his interview with RTL after winning the election.
- Charlotte Merz, who was born in the Saarland, continues her judicial work in the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, even after taking charge of the Friedrich-and-Charlotte Merz Foundation.
- Charlotte Merz, the head of the local court in Sauerland and wife of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, made headlines during the Bundestag Chancellor election, witnessing her husband's failed bid in the first round alongside their daughters Carola and Constanze.
