Rosemarie Springer (also Rosemarie Alsen, née Lorenz; July 5, 1920 – April 2, 2019) was a German equestrian, and the third wife (1953–1961) Axel Springer, who was founder of what was in 2021 the largest media publishing firm in Europe.

Early life

Born in Danzig,[1] she was the daughter of Werner Lorenz, who would later become an SS member and head of the Hauptamt Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle in Nazi Germany.[2]

Equestrian career

She first rode a horse at the age of two, sitting on her father's lap, and took up equestrianism at a young age. Her career was interrupted by World War II, however, and she served as a nurse during the conflict. She did not resume riding until 1950 but, soon after, her talents were spotted at a Berlin horse show.[3] Among other international appearances, she participated in the individual dressage event at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where she finished seventh in a field of seventeen competitors.[1] She retired from active competition in the late 1970s, having been the German national champion in women's dressage seven times.[3] Following her competitive career, Springer took up judging and training,[3] the latter of which occupied her time until at least 2012. In her late 80s she continued to ski twice a year and occasionally ride in informal tournaments in Germany.[4]

Marriages

She married cement manufacturer Horst-Herbert Alsen in 1941 and divorced him in 1953 to marry Alsen's friend, journalist Axel Springer. This union lasted until 1961 when Springer left her to marry Helga Ludewig.[5] On her 75th birthday, Springer was honored by the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for her contributions to the sport. She died on April 2, 2019, at the age of 98.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Gjerde, Arild; Jeroen Heijmans; Bill Mallon; Hilary Evans (March 27, 2012). "Rosemarie Springer Biography and Olympic Results". Olympics. Sports Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  2. ^ Köhler, Otto (2012-04-30). "Axel Cäsar Springer lebt". Junge Welt (in German). Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  3. ^ a b c Bertke, Ellen (2012). "Olympia Dressurreiterin Rosemarie Springer" (in German). Markus Waterhues. Archived from the original on 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  4. ^ Langmaack, Werner (2010-05-11). "Plädoyer für den Pferdewechsel bei der Dressur in Klein Flottbek". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  5. ^ "Die Frau von der Insel und ihre große Liebe". Die Welt (in German). 2005-02-06. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
  6. ^ Helkenberg, Uta (3 April 2019). "Rosemarie Springer verstorben". German Equestrian Federation. Retrieved 2 October 2019. (in German)


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