# Edzard Reuter > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Edzard_Reuter > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Edzard_Reuter.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edzard_Reuter > Source revision: 1330080875 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|German businessman (1928–2024)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox person | image = 21. Internationales Management-Gespräch-Edzard Reuter-HSGN 028-00882.jpg | caption = Reuter in 1991 | name = Edzard Reuter | birth_date = {{birth date|1928|2|16|df=y}} | birth_place = Berlin, [Brandenburg](/source/Province_of_Brandenburg), [Prussia](/source/Free_State_of_Prussia), [Germany](/source/Weimar_Republic) | death_date = {{death date and age|2024|10|27|1928|2|16|df=y}} | death_place = [Stuttgart](/source/Stuttgart), Baden-Württemberg, Germany | education = {{ubl|[Humboldt University of Berlin](/source/Humboldt_University_of_Berlin)|[Georg August University of Göttingen](/source/Georg_August_University_of_G%C3%B6ttingen)|[Free University of Berlin](/source/Free_University_of_Berlin)}} | occupation = Business executive | title = [CEO](/source/CEO) of [Daimler-Benz](/source/Daimler-Benz) | predecessor = Werner Breitschwerdt | successor = [Jürgen E. Schrempp](/source/J%C3%BCrgen_E._Schrempp) | term = 1987–1995 | parents = [Ernst Reuter](/source/Ernst_Reuter)
Hanna Kleinert }} '''Edzard Hans Wilhelm Reuter''' (16 February 1928 – 27 October 2024) was a German businessman. He was the [CEO](/source/CEO) of [Daimler-Benz](/source/Daimler-Benz) from 1987 to 1995. ==Early life== Edzard Reuter was born in Berlin on 15 February 1928. His father was the popular [social democratic](/source/social_democratic) politician and later [mayor of Berlin](/source/mayor_of_Berlin), from 1948 to 1953, [Ernst Reuter](/source/Ernst_Reuter).{{cite web | title=Ehemaliger Daimler-Benz-Chef Edzard Reuter ist tot | website=[Deutschlandfunk](/source/Deutschlandfunk) | date=30 October 2024 | url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/ehemaliger-daimler-benz-chef-edzard-reuter-ist-tot-100.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} His mother Hanna Reuter ''née'' Kleinert was a secretary at the party newspaper ''[Vorwärts](/source/Vorw%C3%A4rts)''.{{cite web | last=Dettmer | first=Markus | title=Edzard Reuter: Der Visionär, der Verluste hinterließ | website=[Der Spiegel](/source/Der_Spiegel) | date=29 October 2024 | url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/edzard-reuter-der-visionaer-der-verluste-hinterliess-a-453a468f-1744-432c-8a94-2b7ee3518dda | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}}{{cite web | title=Ex-Daimler-Chef Reuter tot: Sozialdemokrat mit kostspieligen Visionen | website=tagesschau.de | date=29 October 2024 | url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/badenwuerttemberg/nachruf-reuter-daimler-100.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} Under the Nazi regime, the family was forced to flee Germany; they found [exile](/source/exile) in Ankara, Turkey, where Reuter spent his childhood and youth.{{cite web | title=Edzard Reuter | website=Abgeordnetenhaus Berlin | date=26 March 2021 | url=https://www.parlament-berlin.de/Das-Haus/Berliner-Ehrenbuerger/edzard-reuter | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} In 1946, Reuter joined the [Social Democratic Party of Germany](/source/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Germany) (SPD). After returning to Germany in 1946,{{cite web | title=Berliner Ehrenbürger: Wegner: "Berlin trauert um Edzard Reuter" | website=[Der Tagesspiegel](/source/Der_Tagesspiegel) | date=29 October 2024 | url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/berliner-ehrenburger-wegner-berlin-trauert-um-edzard-reuter-12610574.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} Reuter studied [mathematics](/source/mathematics) and [theoretical physics](/source/theoretical_physics) at the [University of Berlin](/source/University_of_Berlin), now known as [Humboldt University of Berlin](/source/Humboldt_University_of_Berlin), but then in East Berlin. He transferred to the [Georg August University of Göttingen](/source/Georg_August_University_of_G%C3%B6ttingen).{{cite web | title=Edzard Reuter | website=Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften | url=https://www.bbaw.de/die-akademie/akademie-historische-aspekte/mitglieder-historisch/historisches-mitglied-edzard-reuter-3141 | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} In 1949, he switched over to studying [law](/source/law) at the newly founded [Free University of Berlin](/source/Free_University_of_Berlin).{{cite web |last=Trenkamp | first=Oliver | title=Ein Student und eine Universität im Aufbruch | website=[Freie Universität Berlin](/source/Freie_Universit%C3%A4t_Berlin) | date=30 October 2024 | url=https://www.fu-berlin.de/presse/publikationen/tsp/archiv/2008/ts_20080419/ts_200800419_61/index.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} In 1955, Reuter completed his state examinations. == Career == From 1954 to 1956, he was an assistant at the Free University. After applying for a job for Daimler-Benz and failing, possibly because of his political orientation, Edzard Reuter became an authorized signatory for [UFA](/source/Universum_Film_AG), the German [film studio](/source/film_studio) and then an executive for [Bertelsmann](/source/Bertelsmann), a media corporation. In 1964, [Hanns Martin Schleyer](/source/Hanns_Martin_Schleyer) recruited Reuter to work at the Daimler-Benz headquarters in [Stuttgart](/source/Stuttgart), where he advanced to the board of managers. In July 1987, he succeeded {{ill|Werner Breitschwerdt|de}} as chairman of the board upon recommendation of [Alfred Herrhausen](/source/Alfred_Herrhausen).{{cite web | title=Schwere Fehler | website=[Der Spiegel](/source/Der_Spiegel) | date=12 July 1987 | url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/schwere-fehler-a-6f978d71-0002-0001-0000-000013523800 | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} Upon his assumption of office Reuter avowed himself to an "open" [corporate culture](/source/corporate_culture). His takeovers were the aircraft and defense technology of [Dornier](/source/Dornier_Flugzeugwerke), [Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm](/source/Messerschmitt-B%C3%B6lkow-Blohm) and [MTU Friedrichshafen](/source/MTU_Friedrichshafen), electronics from [Matra](/source/Matra), and household appliances from [AEG](/source/AEG_(German_company)). Daimler-Benz became a giant corporation, but it cost the company billions in losses.{{cite web | title=Berliner Ehrenbürger Edzard Reuter ist tot | website=rbb24 | date=15 November 2016 | url=https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/beitrag/2024/10/edzard-reuter-gestorben-ernst-reuter-berlin.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} The way he exercised his functions was criticized by many including the economist {{ill|Ekkehard Wenger|de}}. In May 1995, Reuter was succeeded by [Jürgen E. Schrempp](/source/J%C3%BCrgen_E._Schrempp), who gave up his predecessor's business philosophy choosing instead to emphasize [shareholder value](/source/shareholder_value).{{cite web | title=Ex-Daimler-Chef Edzard Reuter: Schatten der Vergangenheit | website=stuttgarter-zeitung.de | date=26 February 2020 | url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.ex-daimler-chef-edzard-reuter-schatten-der-vergangenheit.3f33db92-8175-4936-ab11-1d763c49b193.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} In August 1994, Reuter mentioned himself as a possible candidate for mayor of Berlin, but none of the parties showed interest.{{cite web | title="Ich bin ansprechbar" | website=[Der Spiegel](/source/Der_Spiegel) | date=28 August 1994 | url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ich-bin-ansprechbar-a-843daa56-0002-0001-0000-000013684789?context=issue | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} In 1998, Reuter became an honorary citizen of Berlin, especially for his dedication for the expansion of the [Potsdamer Platz](/source/Potsdamer_Platz).{{cite web | last=Appenzeller | first=Gerd | title=Edzard Reuter zum 90. Geburtstag: Der Mann, der den Potsdamer Platz schuf | website=[Der Tagesspiegel](/source/Der_Tagesspiegel) | date=16 February 2018 | url=https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/der-mann-der-den-potsdamer-platz-schuf-3926380.html | language=de | access-date=30 October 2024}} ==Death== Reuter died in [Stuttgart](/source/Stuttgart), Germany, on 27 October 2024, at the age of 96. ==Writings== * {{cite book | last=Reuter | first=Edzard | title=Egorepublik Deutschland | date=2013 | publisher=Campus Verlag | isbn=978-3-593-42011-0 | language=de}} ===Autobiography=== * {{cite book | last=Reuter | first=Edzard | title=Schein und Wirklichkeit | publisher=Siedler | publication-place=Berlin | date=1999 | isbn=978-3-442-75571-4 | language=de}} ==References== {{cite news | last = Pillau | first = Florian | url = https://www.heise.de/en/news/Former-Daimler-CEO-Edzard-Reuter-is-dead-9997257.html | title = Former Daimler CEO Edzard Reuter is dead | work = heise.de | date = 29 October 2024 | access-date = 29 October 2024 }} ==Further reading== * {{cite web |title=Edzard Reuter: 'Es gibt keinen anderen Weg als strengere Regeln' |website=brand eins online |date=17 October 2024 |url=https://www.brandeins.de/magazine/brand-eins-wirtschaftsmagazin/2023/neue-werte/edzard-reuter-es-gibt-keinen-anderen-weg-als-strengere-regeln |language=de |access-date=30 October 2024}} * {{cite book |last=Schmidt |first=Helmut |author-link=Helmut Schmidt |title=Die Grenzen sprengen |publisher=Siedler Verlag |publication-place=Berlin |date=1988 |isbn=978-3-88680-321-7 |language=de}} * {{cite book |last=Eglau |first=Hans Otto |title=Edzard Reuter |publisher=ECON-Taschenbuch-Verl |publication-place=Düsseldorf |date=1993 |isbn=978-3-612-26062-8 |language=de}} * {{cite book |last=Jakobs |first=Hans-Jürgen |title=Edzard Reuter |publisher=Heyne |publication-place=München |date=1991 |isbn=978-3-453-05121-8 |language=de}} ===Obituaries=== * {{cite web |title=Bundespräsident Steinmeier kondoliert zum Tod von Edzard Reuter |website=[Der Bundespräsident](/source/Der_Bundespr%C3%A4sident) |date=29 October 2024 |url=https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2024/10/241029-Kondolenz-Reuter.html |language=de |access-date=30 October 2024}} * {{cite web |title=Trauer um Edzard Reuter |publisher=Mercedes-Benz Group |date=29 October 2024 |url=https://group.mercedes-benz.com/unternehmen/news/nachruf-edzard-reuter.html |language=de |access-date=30 October 2024}} == External links == {{Commonscat}} * [https://www.reuter-stiftung.de Helga und Edzard Reuter-Stiftung] {{in lang|de}} 2024 {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Reuter, Edzard}} Category:1928 births Category:2024 deaths Category:Businesspeople from Berlin Category:German expatriates in Turkey Category:Humboldt University of Berlin alumni Category:Mercedes-Benz Group executives Category:20th-century German businesspeople --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Edzard Reuter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edzard_Reuter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edzard_Reuter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.