by Adrian von Ferenczy
In conversation with Michael Graeter, the legendary journalist, gossip columnist and "king of the tabloid", the social development of Germany in recent decades is examined. Publicist and editor of CdkW, Markus Langemann, succeeds in eliciting a sensitive insight into Graeter's unique career and his view of the changing media landscape and society. The journalist, known for his work at renowned publications such as the "Augsburger Allgemeine", the "Abendzeitung" and the "BILD-Zeitung", was instrumental in documenting Munich's social life. His connection to Helmut Dietl and the cult series "Kir Royal" in particular left a lasting impression.
Looking back at society and looking to the future
The country has changed considerably over the past 20 to 30 years. He sees it as his task to look back and critically examine developments even today. He is not afraid to speak harshly about the country's leadership: "I am governed by stupid people." He criticizes the immaturity of many political decision-makers and compares the current political landscape with a time in the past when, in his opinion, even clearer and more down-to-earth decisions were made.
A career between tabloid journalism and celebrities
Michael Graeter is considered a man who was a master at portraying Munich's "Schickeria". His journalistic career took him from the "Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung" to the "Abendzeitung" and finally to the "BILD-Zeitung", where he worked for six years during the newspaper's heyday. At that time, "BILD" had a circulation of 5.4 million copies, which meant 15 million readers. Today there are just under one million.
Graeter's connection to Helmut Dietl and his series "Kir Royal", which was broadcast in the 1980s, is particularly close. Graeter inspired Dietl to create the character of Baby Schimmerlos, a society journalist who moves unabashedly through Munich's celebrity world. "Many of these characters who appeared in Helmut Dietl's series were recognizable to Munich residents," explains Graeter, describing the zeitgeist of the time. For him, it was fascinating that real life and the satirical portrayal of the series often flowed into one another.
Humility and faith: new perspectives after the crash
Michael Graeter talks openly about the difficult times after his crash and his return to a normal life. Despite the hardships his experiences imposed on him, he retained his pride and his façade. "It's a constant feeling inside me," he admits, but at the same time he remains full of drive. He hopes that he might be able to open a new "Café Extrablatt" after all, as he once did in Schwabing in the 1980s.
Graeter reflects on his past and the differences between his former life as "Baby Schimmerlos" and his current role. While he used to be seen as the untouchable society reporter who never heard a "no" in Munich's celebrity world, the crash has taught him to see the world from a different perspective. "No one is fundamentally immune to the fact that a major impact will happen at some point," he says, describing how humility became an integral part of his hindsight.
Faith as a source of strength
An important aspect of his personal development for Graeter was his faith. Even before his prison sentence, he had found his way to church, in particular to St. Peter's Church on Marienplatz, which meant more to him than Munich Cathedral. "I can simply gather myself better there for the third dimension," he explains. He is not sure whether there is a God in the classical sense, but he believes in a higher, intangible force that guides life.
This spiritual dimension gave him strength in the most difficult times and helped him to focus on the small wonders of life. "Why do two ducks stay together their whole lives?" asks Graeter, admitting that the mysteries of nature fascinate him. Despite his skepticism towards the "ground staff" of the church, as he calls the clergy, faith has helped him to find an inner balance.
A look back at brilliant projects: The failed film festival
A formative chapter in Graeter's career was his attempt to get Munich an American film festival. Together with Munich's mayor Kiesel and fashion week organizer Wurm, he travelled to New York and Los Angeles to negotiate with major film studios. "The big names all agreed," Graeter recalls, including the head of Paramount, who promised a ten-day festival after the Oktoberfest. But political resistance and the negative attitude of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" ultimately caused the project to fail.
Despite these setbacks, Graeter is proud of his efforts to enrich Munich's cultural scene. He recounts the ceremonial christening with Geraldine Chaplin and Gerd Fröbe in the town hall and the turbulent moments when he fought for a landing permit due to the weather. For him, these episodes are not only evidence of his commitment, but also symbols of social change in Munich and the fight against ideological resistance.
The dark side of power: conflicts with the press and personal experiences
Graeter describes the tensions he had with certain media representatives over the course of his career, such as the then head of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung", Deiring. After Deiring repeatedly called Graeter a "knight of expenses", Graeter threatened to write a counter-article that would reveal the journalist's questionable side.
The end of an era: a life under constant observation
Michael Graeter reflects on the change in his life, from a celebrated journalist who portrayed the rich and beautiful to a person who was himself the focus of reporting due to his time in prison. When asked what the crash had done to him, he replies: "I actually always repress it. I think it makes you old." For him, the key to moving on is not giving up the pressure and always keeping moving.
Despite all the ups and downs, Graeter is still proud of his experiences and his "glorious time" in journalism. He sees himself as the "head waiter of society", who never simply judged people, but always held a mirror up to them. This self-perception makes him very different from today's influencer culture, which he describes as "pathetic" because it is based solely on self-promotion.
Conclusion: A reporter's life between fame and regret
In his stories, Michael Graeter offers a unique insight into the world of tabloid journalism, the power of the media and the personal struggles associated with a life in the limelight. His journey from a glamorous columnist who made his mark on Munich's high society to a prisoner in Landsberg shows the duality of fame and responsibility.
For Graeter, journalism remains a vocation that he has never given up despite all the challenges. "You can't let your body down. That's why you have to keep at it," he says, and this is reflected in his unwavering determination to remain active. Even though the media landscape and society have changed dramatically, Michael Graeter remains a chronicler who tells his stories with a sharp tongue and an eye for the human element.
His reflections on power, faith and the importance of independence in reporting not only offer a look back at a golden era of journalism, but also valuable food for thought for the present.
Michael Graeter's story also shows that true journalism must always be independent in order to do justice to its task. At a time when many media outlets are converging and exclusivity is becoming less important, Graeter calls for more courage to embrace individuality.
For Graeter, public recognition was never the main goal. Rather, he always wanted to remain authentic and be a voice that critically accompanies social change. His stories are a testimony to the fact that even after a deep fall, the belief in one's own work and the power of journalism remains.
These thoughts close the chapter on Michael Graeter's eventful life as a journalist. His stories, characterized by unique encounters, personal crises and an unshakeable belief in the journalistic mission, remain unforgotten and are a reflection of the society he helped to shape over the decades.
"Independent and non-partisan journalism, which is not dependent on advertising money or fees, guarantees a high degree of integrity in terms of content," says Langemann following this extraordinary interview-style portrait, which is reminiscent of past great interviews on the V.I.P Schaukel or Günter Gaus.
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