"The one who always talks about culture": Ten years ago, the last great intellectual of German television died - Roger Willemsen, Germany's fearless cultural voice, dies at 60
Roger Willemsen, one of Germany's most influential intellectuals, died on 7 February 2016 at the age of 60. Known for his sharp mind and unyielding views on culture, he left a lasting mark on television and public debate. His career spanned decades, blending academic rigour with accessible media presence.
Willemsen first rose to prominence in the early 1990s with 0137, an interview show on Premiere. The programme earned him the prestigious Grimme Award in 1993 and cemented his reputation as a fearless cultural commentator. He later became a defining voice on ZDF with Willemsen's Week, a talk show admired for its intellectual depth without pretension.
His approach was often uncompromising, and he openly criticised how television sidelined culture—once remarking that it only appeared late at night or on rainy days. Yet he balanced his stern principles with wit, freely admitting to vanity while displaying a mix of confidence and self-mockery.
Beyond television, Willemsen was a prolific writer. His 2014 bestseller, The High House, documented a year observing the German Bundestag, offering sharp insights into politics. Earlier, in 1984, he had earned a doctorate with a dissertation on the Austrian writer Robert Musil.
Willemsen's death marked the end of an era for German cultural discourse. His work, from award-winning television to bestselling books, shaped how audiences engaged with ideas. He remains remembered as both a provocateur and a guiding intellectual voice.
