Thomas Gottschalk withdraws: The end of an era on TV!

Thomas Gottschalk withdraws: The end of an era on TV!

entertainer Thomas Gottschalk announced the end of his impressive career in the area of ​​Saturday evening entertainment. During the RTL show "Because you don't know what happens", which he moderates together with Barbara Schöneberger and Günther Jauch, he said that he wanted to withdraw. May 18 marks its 75th birthday party and Gottschalk as the ideal to draw the line. After 35 years on German television as a showmaster, he is not only considered a dazzling personality, but also one of the most successful in his guild in the whole country.

Gottschalk's way to fame began in the 1970s when he worked on Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR). He had his breakthrough with the show "Well something!", Found the takeover of the ZDF classic "Wetten, dass ..?". This program led him to a high reputation and a market share of up to 45% in celebrations. His last moderation of "Wetten, dass ..?" took place in November 2023. In total, he led over 154 programs before he retired from this role.

an important farewell

Gottschalk said in the RTL show that he wanted to stop in a year in which he is older than the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, who is currently 69 years old. He plans to experience his last moments as a moderator on December 6, 2025. This date is important for many of its fans because the show recently attracted almost two million viewers - the best quota since 2022.

After walzer evenings and great shows over three decades, it will be exciting to see how RTL will continue the format to Gottschalk. As early as September 2024, there were rumors about his retreat from the show business, and now it is clear that the time has come to retire this reserved but unforgettable showmaster.

personal and professional

Thomas Gottschalk was born in Bamberg in 1950 and grew up in Kulmbach. He was an active member of the Catholic student connection and studied in the field of German and history. His career began at Bavarian Radio, and he quickly gained popularity through various formats, which he moderated. Outside the shows, he also worked in several advertising films and published two autobiographies: "Herbstblond" (2015) and "Autumn Bunt" (2019).

His private life has also made headlines. After a long marriage to Thea Hauer, which ended in 2024, he married Karina Mroß in the summer of 2024. Gottschalk is also a proud grandfather of three grandchildren, the youngest of them was born in November 2024.

With the end of his career, the audience not only says goodbye to a very talented moderator, but also by a part of German television history, which was shaped by his incomparable appearances. The television world will miss him painfully.