Journalist, German Statesman. He was the first West German Mission Chief to the German Democratic Republic in East Berlin. An acclaimed German journalist who, as senior editor of the widely read newsmagazine "der Spiegel" from 1969 to 1973, supported Chancelor Willy Brandt's new "Ostpolitik," or policy of "detante." He was subsequently appointed Undersecretary of State to the Chancelor in 1973 and then mission chief to the German Democratic Republic (1974 to 1981) where he negotiated 17 agreements during his appointment. He viewed it as the most interesting job he could ever imagine. Afterward, he was appointed Berlin's Senator for Science in the newly formed Berlin city government for a year; then resumed his popular television talkshow "Zur Person" in which he interviewed prominent international political figures. Gaus was awarded Germany's Adolf Grimme Prize in 1988 and the German Critics' Prize in 1991. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he resigned his 30+ years membership in the Social Democratic Party in protest over the German Government's expressed solidarity with the United States.
Journalist, German Statesman. He was the first West German Mission Chief to the German Democratic Republic in East Berlin. An acclaimed German journalist who, as senior editor of the widely read newsmagazine "der Spiegel" from 1969 to 1973, supported Chancelor Willy Brandt's new "Ostpolitik," or policy of "detante." He was subsequently appointed Undersecretary of State to the Chancelor in 1973 and then mission chief to the German Democratic Republic (1974 to 1981) where he negotiated 17 agreements during his appointment. He viewed it as the most interesting job he could ever imagine. Afterward, he was appointed Berlin's Senator for Science in the newly formed Berlin city government for a year; then resumed his popular television talkshow "Zur Person" in which he interviewed prominent international political figures. Gaus was awarded Germany's Adolf Grimme Prize in 1988 and the German Critics' Prize in 1991. Shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he resigned his 30+ years membership in the Social Democratic Party in protest over the German Government's expressed solidarity with the United States.
Bio by: Fred Beisser
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