From Pope Francis to Laura Dahlmeier: These celebrities we had to say goodbye to in 2025 - ZDF’s emotional farewell honours Germany’s most unforgettable figures of 2025
ZDF’s annual tribute, Farewell: The People We Won’t Forget, will honour influential figures who died in 2025. The programme, airing on Tuesday, December 30 at 5:10 PM, features retrospectives and personal stories from those who knew them best.
Director Vadim Perelman oversees the special, which reflects on lives that left a lasting mark across different fields.
Among those remembered is Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor and witness who passed away on May 9 at the age of 103. Her testimony and resilience inspired generations.
Former German President Horst Köhler died on February 1 at 81. His leadership and diplomatic work shaped the country’s political landscape for years.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, died on April 21 at 88. His progressive stance and global influence redefined the Catholic Church’s role in modern society.
Laura Dahlmeier, a celebrated biathlete, was killed in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan on July 28. She was 31. Her achievements in winter sports earned her widespread admiration.
Actor Horst Krause, best known for his role in Polizeiruf, died on September 5 at 83. His long career made him a familiar face in German television and film.
The ZDF programme brings together archival footage, interviews, and personal accounts to celebrate these lives. It serves as a reminder of their contributions to history, culture, and public life. The broadcast will offer viewers a chance to reflect on the legacies they left behind.
