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Baden-Württemberg is a country of superlatives. The highest life expectancy, the most popular attractions or the highest municipality: all of this is available in this state. But did you know that these seven famous people are from Baden-Württemberg?
1. Queen Silvia of Sweden
Silvia of Sweden, born on December 23, 1943 in Heidelberg as Silvia Renate Sommerlath, has been Queen of Sweden since June 19, 1976 through her marriage to Carl XVI. Gustaf. She met her future husband at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where she worked as a hostess.
Silvia grew up in Baden-Württemberg and São Paulo, graduated from high school in Germany and studied at the Language and Interpreting Institute in Munich. She speaks seven languages, including Swedish Sign Language. A day before their wedding, the musical group ABBA performed their song “Dancing Queen” on television in honor of the bride and groom.
Queen Silvia of Sweden was born in Heidelberg. (Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa)
2. Jurgen Klopp
Jürgen Klopp, born on June 16, 1967 in Stuttgart, is a renowned German football coach and former player. His career as a player and coach began at FSV Mainz 05, where he worked for almost twenty years. In 2008 he moved to Borussia Dortmund and led the team to two German championships (2011, 2012) and a DFB Cup victory (2012).
Klopp has been coaching Liverpool FC in the English Premier League since 2015. Under his leadership, Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019 and became English champions in 2020. Klopp was also named “Coach of the Year” by FIFA (2019, 2020). At the end of January 2024, he announced that he would quit as coach of Liverpool FC after the current season.
Jürgen Klopp is probably one of the most famous German football coaches. (Photo: Christoph Reichwein/dpa)
3. Sophie Scholl
Sophie Scholl, born on May 9, 1921 in Forchtenberg, Baden-Württemberg, was an important resistance fighter against the Nazi dictatorship and a member of the “White Rose” group. This group used leaflets to call for the overthrow of the National Socialists. After her exposure, Sophie Scholl was arrested and executed with the guillotine in Munich on February 22, 1943. Today she is considered a symbolic figure of resistance against the Nazi regime. Her birthday will be 103 years old in 2024.
Sophie Scholl was executed at the age of 21. (Photo: Collage: Hassân Al Mohtasib; Photo: DPA)
4. Alexander Gerst
Alexander Gerst, born on May 3, 1976 in Künzelsau, is a German astronaut and geophysicist. He first flew to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014 as a flight engineer, making him the third German after Thomas Reiter and Hans Schlegel to visit the ISS. During his mission, he thrilled his fans on Earth with impressive images from space, which he shared on social media. In 2018, Gerst undertook another space flight to the ISS. In 2024 he celebrated his 48th birthday.
Alexander Gerst repeatedly thrilled his fans with photos from space during his mission on the ISS. (Photo: Alexander Gerst/ESA/dpa)
5. Der Rapper Cro
The rapper Cro, real name Carlo Waibel, comes from Mutlangen, Baden-Württemberg and was born on January 31, 1990. He became known throughout Germany for his hit “Easy”. In addition to his music career, he is also active as a designer and filmmaker. His stage name is derived from his first name Carlo.
The rapper Cro originally comes from Mutlangen. (Photo: Daniel Karmann/dpa)
6. Roland Emmerich
Roland Emmerich is an internationally successful German film producer and director, known for blockbusters such as “Independence Day” (1996), “The Patriot” (2000), “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004), “2012” (2009) and “Anonymous (2011). Born on November 10, 1955 in Stuttgart, he grew up in Maichingen in Baden-Württemberg.
After graduating from high school, Emmerich studied at the University of Television and Film in Munich. His graduation film “The Noah’s Ark Principle” attracted attention and was successfully presented at the International Film Festival in Berlin. He achieved his breakthrough in Hollywood in 1996 with the science fiction film “Independence Day,” which was followed by numerous other successful films.
Roland Emmerich has already been a guest in Laupheim. (Photo: Etienne Laurent)
7. Til Schweiger
Til Schweiger, born on December 19, 1963 in Freiburg im Breisgau, is a well-known German actor, filmmaker, producer and director. After abandoning his studies in German and medicine, he began his career as a voice actor and became known through the ARD series “Lindenstrasse”. His first major leading role was in “Manta, Manta”, and his breakthrough came in 1994 with “The Moving Man”.
Til Schweiger also has international success. (Photo: Stefan Sauer)
**How does the article connect the personal stories of these seven individuals to broader German history, culture, and values?**
This article highlights seven notable German individuals from various fields. Let’s craft some open-ended questions for discussion, organized thematicially:
**Section 1: Royalty & Culture**
* **Queen Silvia of Sweden:** Speaking seven languages, including Swedish Sign Language, is incredibly impressive. How does someone achieve such linguistic fluency? What are the cultural and personal benefits of being multilingual?
* **ABBA:** How has ABBA’s music transcended generations and international borders? What makes their music so timeless and universally appealing?
**Section 2: Sports & Leadership**
* **Jurgen Klopp:** Klopp’s coaching style is known for its intensity and passion. What leadership qualities contribute to his success in motivating players and achieving team victories? How can these qualities be adapted to other leadership contexts?
**Section 3: Courage & Resistance**
* **Sophie Scholl:** Sophie Scholl’s courage in resisting Nazi Germany continues to inspire many. What makes an individual stand up against injustice, even at great personal risk? How can we apply Sophie Scholl’s legacy to combat injustice and prejudice in our own times?
**Section 4: Science & Exploration**
* **Alexander Gerst:** Astronauts like Alexander Gerst push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration. What are the ethical considerations surrounding space travel and resource utilization? How can we balance scientific advancement with its potential impact on our planet?
**Section 5: Arts & Creativity**
* **Rapper Cro:** Cro successfully navigates both music and design. How do different creative fields intersect and inspire each other? What are the challenges and rewards of being a multi-disciplinary artist?
**Section 6: Film & Global Impact**
* **Roland Emmerich:** Emmerich’s films often depict catastrophic events. What attracts audiences to these themes? What role do films play in shaping our understanding of global threats and disaster preparedness?
**Section 7: Acting & International Influence**
* **Til Schweiger:** Schweiger has achieved success both in Germany and internationally. What factors contribute to an actor’s ability to transcend cultural boundaries and connect with global audiences? What can aspiring actors learn from Schweiger’s career trajectory?
These discussion starters aim to encourage thoughtful reflection on the achievements, challenges, and impact of these diverse German figures.
