Gerd Heidemann
Gerd Heidemann | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | German |
Occupation | Journalist |
Known for | Role in the publication of purported Hitler Diaries that were subsequently proved to be forgeries |
Gerd Heidemann (born 4 December 1931) is a German journalist best known for his role in the publication of purported Hitler Diaries that were subsequently proved to be forgeries.
Biography
Early Life and career
Born in Hamburg, Heidemann showed an early interest in photography, and began his career as a freelance photo journalist. He joined the permanent staff of the weekly magazine Stern in 1955.[1] He proved to be a tenacious researcher and a determined traveller to exotic and dangerous locales, but a writer of limited ability.[2] His early work included extensive research into the identity of author B. Traven.[3]
In the 1970s, Heidemann bought the yacht Carin II, which had belonged to Hermann Göring, met his daughter Edda Göring and had an affair with her which lasted for five years. They entertained on the yacht and their guests included two Second World War generals, Karl Wolff and Wilhelm Mohnke.[4]
Hitler diaries
Heidemann came forward with his story of lost diaries written by
Later Life
In 2002,
By 2008, Heidemann was living in poverty in Hamburg, receiving a €350 monthly welfare payment. At the time he had extensive debt estimated to be €700,000.[10][11] In 2013, Heidemann was lobbying for the return of the manuscripts citing a contractual obligation of Stern publisher Gruner & Jahr.[12]
References
- ^ Jefferson Adams. Historical Dictionary of German Intelligence (2009), p. 193
- ^ ISBN 9780571147267.
- ^ Roy Pateman. The Man Nobody Knows: The Life and Legacy of B. Traven (2005), p. 12
- ISBN 9781559705325.
- ^ "Stern Fires Hitler 'Diary' Reporter". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "BBC ON THIS DAY | 25 | 1983: 'Hitler diaries' published". BBC News. 25 April 1983. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
- ^ "3 Found Guilty in Sale of Fake 'Hitler Diaries'". latimes.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "Was Hitler diary a plot?". The Week. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ The Reunion, BBC Radio, 7 September 2008
- ^ Hall, Allan (24 April 2008). "Living in poverty, the man who 'found' Hitler's diaries". The Independent. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
- ^ "'Hitler Diaries' Discoverer Living on Welfare". spiegel.de. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
- ^ "'Hitler Diaries' Reporter Wants Them Back". spiegel.de. Retrieved 28 April 2024.