Günther Jauch

Günther Johannes Jauch, born July 13, 1956, is a German television presenter, television producer, and journalist. He is best known as the longtime host of Wer wird Millionär?, the German adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Over his career, Jauch has established himself as a prominent broadcasting personality, recognized for his witty style of entertainment across quiz shows, news magazines, and talk shows.

Jauch began his broadcasting career working on radio programs for Bayerischer Rundfunk. In 1990, he started producing and hosting stern TV, a prime-time news magazine programme on the private RTL network. He hosted the show for 21 years until January 2011. During his time with stern TV, the programme faced controversy after airing falsified reports submitted by journalist Michael Born. In 1999, Jauch also began presenting the lottery game show Millionär Gesucht! Die SKL-Show, which ran until 2002 and was succeeded by Die 5-Millionen-SKL-Show through 2010.

On September 3, 1999, Jauch premiered Wer wird Millionär? on RTL. Despite initially slow viewership, the program grew into a major success and has remained on the air continuously. His television career expanded into sports and public affairs, including hosting the Four Hills Tournament in ski jumping from 2000 to 2006. In 2011, he launched an eponymous weekly political talk show on Das Erste, which ran until 2015 when he chose to reduce his television commitments. His other television credits include panel appearances on 20xx - Das Quiz, Die 2 – Gottschalk und Jauch gegen alle, Ich weiß alles!, and Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert.

In addition to hosting, Jauch owns the television production company i&u TV, which stands for Information und Unterhaltung. He also maintains a family tradition of winemaking. In 2010, he joined the German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP) and purchased his family's historic vineyard, Othegraven in Kanzem. He expanded his winemaking operations in 2011 by acquiring the Wawerner Herrenberg vineyard, and he has co-produced wines sold through the supermarket chain Aldi since 2018.

In 2006, Jauch married Thea Sihler at Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam after an 18-year relationship. The couple has two biological daughters and two adopted daughters. Seeking to maintain a private lifestyle, Jauch pursued legal action to block media coverage of his wedding. The dispute progressed through German courts to the European Court of Human Rights, which ultimately dismissed his complaint, affirming the public's legitimate interest in the event.

Jauch is active in philanthropy, regularly donating earnings from commercial endorsements—such as campaigns for Krombacher and DHL—to charitable causes. He has funded the restoration of historic landmarks in Potsdam, including the Fortunaportal, and established a branch of the children's charity Die Arche in Drewitz in 2009. His work in television has earned him numerous honors, including multiple Goldene Kamera, Bayerischer Fernsehpreis, Bambi, Deutscher Fernsehpreis, and Adolf-Grimme-Preis awards.