Since “Hartz und Herzen” began broadcasting, twelve people who were known from the show have died. We will briefly introduce them all to you.
The broadcast “Hartz and warm” shows Germany from a side that is not often seen on television: in the middle of everyday life Hartz IV recipients and people with very little money. Not only that, the show at RTTWO enjoy great popularity, some protagonists is from Viewers have also been helped. The consequences in the so-called Benz barracks in particular repeatedly attract attention. Unfortunately, in the course of the many episodes, people who were seen there more often died. This article does not claim to be complete, but at least shows the candidates who were seen more often and who are unfortunately no longer with us.
Marion, Krefeld
In the documentary format had Marion already talked about their health problems several times. She suffered from the lung disease COPD. Four years ago she had to fight for her life as a result of the illness and was in intensive care for weeks. At that time, the Krefeld woman barely survived. In 2022 she lost the fight against the disease. RTLZWEI closes the third episode of “Return to Krefeld” from January 2023 with the words: “Rest in peace, dear Marion! Our thoughts are with Marion’s family and the people who were particularly close to her”.
Jürgen, Benz barracks
Already in October 2022 there was an episode in which Jürgen’s kiosk had to close because he was no longer able to work because of his cancer. The January 3 episode mourns him “Hartz and cordial” Elvis veteran. A few days before the episode was recorded, Jürgen died of his illness. But Jürgen wanted everything to be anonymous, said his friend Elvis on the show. “I’ve known him since I’ve lived in this house,” he recalls. Jürgen was a resident of the Benz barracks for many years and was known and loved by the residents, also through the kiosk.
Gudrun, Benz barracks
Photo: RTLTWEI
In June 2022, RTLZWEI announced on social networks that another protagonist of the popular series “Hartz und Herzen” had died: Gudrun from the Benz barracks.
She was one of the first protagonists of the social reportage “Hartz und Herzen” and lived with her husband Michael in the Benz barracks in Mannheim. “Our thoughts are with her husband Michael and the entire family. Gudrun, we will miss you”the broadcaster said.
Schmidti, Benz barracks
It was 2018 when the then 56-year-old Schmidtias he is of all in the Benz barracks was named, died. He was in prison for a very long time and had a alcohol problem. On the one hand, he planned to go into withdrawal, on the other hand, he was constantly plagued by suicidal thoughts.
After two strokes, Schmidti suffered from severe pain and could only move to a limited extent. He eventually died of his alcohol addiction.
Kowalski, Rostock
RTLTWEI; Montage TV feature film
At the December 2, 2021just a few weeks after the death of Dagmar from Mannheim, RTLZWEI had to announce another death of a “Hartz and warm” participant: Kowalski from Rostock. “Our deepest sympathy goes to all relatives,” wrote the broadcaster at the time.
At that time, there were major cuts in Kowalski’s life. The former sailor from Rostock – big small had to move to a nursing home. The alcoholic had increasing problems coping with everyday life on his own. But he missed his independence.
On social media, fans mourned the Rostock original. “Rest in peace, Kowalski! You were a really cool guy,” it said at the time. Or: “I thought he was really great. A happy nature. Rest in peace”. Another user wrote: “My condolences! My child named a stuffed animal after him because he found him so direct and honest…”
Heiko, Benz barracks
heiko hadn’t been with his new one for long fiancé Petra together when he received a terrible diagnosis. The former Berliner and now Mannheimer by choice moved into the Benz barracks, but not without a medical history. Heiko has already had a heart attack three times and he’s already had cancer. At the end of October, it was announced for the first time in the afternoon episodes of “Hartz und Herzen” that Heiko had been taken to the hospital and died there.
In the January 2022 regular episodes, his fiancée Petra addressed the funeral.
Dagmar, Benz barracks
Photo: RTLTWEI
In the November 2021 came the surprising news that Dagmar, the “good soul” of the Benz Barracks in Mannheim, as she was repeatedly referred to on RTLZWEI, died. It was announced on the show’s social media channels: “Today we received the sad news: the good soul of the Mannheim Benz barracks has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family. The Hartz and cordial team will miss you incredibly!” Her official cause of death is not yet known (as of November 9th). However, the pensioner had been suffering from the lung disease COPD for a long time and still had a lung capacity of around 17 percent.
Peter, Duren
Photo: RTLZWEI, UFA SHOW & FACTUAL
He was only 68 years old. In December 2021 was in an episode “Hartz and warm” clear that of protagonist Peter from Düren is terminally ill with cancer. During the pensioner’s last chemotherapy session, he said he was suffering from an untreatable cancer. “It’s incurable, there’s no use in surgery either. Chemo can only prolong life.” At the end of the episode, while he was still alive, news broke that Peter had died of cancer after filming was completed.
Johann, Benz barracks
Has been part of the show for a long time John. In the Nov 2020 the death of the 54-year-old became a topic on the show, he had already died in the spring. His son had found him lifeless in his apartment. The other residents of the Benz Barracks were shocked by the news, even though everyone knew about Johann’s health. The man had been for years severely alcoholic.
Frank, Duisburg
Imago Images/Reichwein
Frank from “Hartz und Herzen” died after being the victim of an act of violence.
In the Aug 2018 became known that the “Hartz and warmly” participants Frank is dead. The unemployed miner collected bottles to make ends meet and has appeared in several episodes of the RTLZWEI documentary. Particularly dramatic: Frank did not die of an illness like Christa and Johann, but was killed. There was a trial in 2019, the accused was acquitted.
Rainer, old camp (Brandenburg)
RTTWO
Rainer (l.) left behind Kathrin and his best friend Totti.
It’s also been a little longer Death of Rainer. In the Brandenburg edition of the social documentary, which Niedergorsdorf was filmed and shown in November 2019, the 53-year-old had moved back to the city with his wife. What he also took away was his alcoholism. It damaged his liver and heart. When he was hospitalized with pneumonia and ended up in intensive care, the doctors couldn’t save him.
Christa, Benz barracks
RTTWO
Christa passed away in 2021.
In the February 2021 RTLZWEI broadcast the consequences that are about the death of Christa turned. The woman lived on the streets for a year until she finally got an apartment in the Benz barracks. Her life was about to take a turn for the better when the sad news was announced: she was dying at the age of 68 consequences of pneumonia. Her daughter Petra, who also lives in the Benz barracks, had to listen to allegations from Internet users that she didn’t take her mother in when she was homeless. “Hartz und cordial” veteran Dagmar, who wanted to take care of her new apartment with Christa, also mourned heavily.
