Hans Friderichs
German politician (1931–2025)
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Hans Friderichs (16 October 1931 – 16 November 2025) was a German politician who served as the minister of economy from 1972 to 1977. He was also a jurist and businessman.
Hans Friderichs | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Friderichs in 1975 | |
| Minister of Economy | |
| In office 15 December 1972 – 7 October 1977 | |
| Chancellor | |
| Preceded by | Helmut Schmidt |
| Succeeded by | Otto Graf Lambsdorff |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 October 1931 Wittlich, Rhine Province, Prussia, Germany |
| Died | 16 November 2025 (aged 94) Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany |
| Party | Free Democratic Party |
Early life and education
Career
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Friderichs was a member and leader of the Free Democrats.[3] Until 1964 he was the deputy chairman of the party in North Rhine-Westphalia and then he became the chairman.[1] He served as a member of the German Bundestag twice, from 1965 to 1969 and from 1972 to 1977.[4] He was the minister of economy from 15 December 1972 to 7 October 1977. He first served in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Willy Brandt.[5]
After leaving office, Friderichs worked in various capacities at different firms and institutions, including Adidas AG.[2] In October 1977 he was named as the board member of the Dresdner Bank, replacing Jürgen Ponto who had been murdered.[6] Until March 1985, he served as the head of the bank.[7] He was the deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Adidas AG until 2007.[8] On 7 November 2007, he was appointed chairman of the board and served in the post until 2009.[9]
Controversy
In the course of criminal proceedings opened following the revelation of the notorious Flick affair, Friderichs, together with other eminent German politicians, was convicted for tax evasion and received a monetary penalty in 1985.[10][11]