Hamburg / Istanbul – After 40 years of hard work in the catering industry, the sunny island of Cyprus was to become his home. But the journey in a motorhome from Hamburg to his new life ended fatally for Michael Wollenberg (†60).
On Friday, the celebrity restaurateur (“Wattkorn”, “Eichenkrug”, “Marlin”) from Hamburg went on his last trip. At 9:33 a.m. the “Turkish Airlines” plane TK1661 landed in the Hanseatic city from Istanbul.
After all the passengers got out, the coffin of the well-known star chef was unloaded and driven towards the city center.
After unloading, the cook’s coffin is transported further
Truck crashes into mobile home
Last week Michael Wollenberg was on his way to Northern Cyprus in his motorhome. According to friends, the restaurateur had bought a house there.
“We sat together on Monday evening, and on Tuesday Michael wanted to leave for Cyprus and start a new phase of his life. He wanted to get out of the mill in Germany,” reports HSV legend Bernd Wehmeyer (72). Wollenberg wanted to take the ferry to Cyprus with his Ford Sunlight motorhome (around 80,000 euros).
Close friends: Carsten Marek (64, left, operator of the cult bar “Ritze” on the Reeperbahn) and Michael Wollenberg
But in Turkey, it is said, a truck crashed into the mobile home. The driver and Wollenberg’s two dogs survived. The star chef, who is said to have been sleeping in the back, succumbed to his serious injuries after two days in the intensive care unit in Istanbul.
Police confirm death investigation
As BILD learned, the Hamburger Detective (LKA 417) was involved in the investigation and checked everything in the context of the accident near Istanbul. Police spokesman Holger Vehren confirmed: “We have initiated a death investigation. The public prosecutor’s office will decide on further measures.”
Film star Til Schweiger (60, left) with the Hamburg celebrity restaurateur
It is currently being examined whether there will be an autopsy in Hamburg’s forensic medicine department.
Star chef Wollenberg seemed happy
The entrepreneur had sold his last restaurant shortly before his departure. Baron Enno von Ruffin (70, Gut Basthorst), the ex-husband of Vicky Leandros (75), purchased the inventory: “Michael seemed so happy.”
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The neighborhood restaurateurs Andreas and Gabi Schenkat: “Unfortunately, an original of Hamburg gastronomy left far too soon, and just when he was about to enjoy the fruits of his labor. We will miss him.”
Mike Wappler (68, right, “Billion Mike”) about the star chef: “He was a fine guy, left us far too early.”
Töns Haltermann (50), owner of the Bayside Hotel on the Baltic Sea, also cannot believe Wollenberg’s death: “Michael and I knew each other for almost 30 years. That took a lot out of me. He worked all his life and then dies in an accident like this.”
It is not yet known when and where the well-known chef’s funeral will take place.
