Günther Jauch Biography: TV Shows, Net Worth, Age, Nationality, Spouse, Children, Parents

Günther Johannes Jauch, famously known as Günther Jauch, is a German television icon whose sharp intellect and understated charm have defined primetime entertainment for over three decades.

Best known as the longtime host of Wer wird Millionär?, the German edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, he has also shaped news and talk formats through shows like Stern TV and his ARD political series.

Profile

• Full Name: Günther Johannes Jauch
• Stage Name: Günther Jauch
• Born: 13, July 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Nationality: German
• Occupation: Television Presenter, Television Producer, Journalist
• Height: 1.93 m
• Parents: Ernst-Alfred Jauch and Ursula Welter
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Dorothea Sihler (m. 2006)
• Children: Svenja, Kristin, Katja, Mascha
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $40 million

Early Life and Education

Günther Johannes Jauch was born on July 13, 1956, in Münster, Germany, to Ernst-Alfred Jauch, a businessman from the Hamburg Jauch family, and Ursula Welter, who raised the family in Berlin’s Lichterfelde-West district after his birth.

He grew up in a stable middle-class environment, attending St. Ursula Catholic elementary school in Berlin-Zehlendorf, where he was an altar boy, and later Steglitz Old Language High School, graduating with a 3.1 Abitur. He started studying law but soon switched to journalism, training at the Deutsche Journalistenschule in Munich, which launched his media career. He is of German ethnicity and practices the Catholic faith.

Career

Günther Jauch entered broadcasting in 1975 as a sports reporter for RIAS Berlin, quickly advancing to Bayerischer Rundfunk by 1982, where he covered major events like the 1982 FIFA World Cup and hosted his own afternoon radio show.

His television debut came in 1988 with ARD’s Zack zack news magazine, but he truly broke through in 1990 on RTL with Stern TV, a hard-hitting investigative program that averaged 5 million viewers nightly and established his no-nonsense journalistic style. By 1992, he was moderating election coverage and sports specials, including UEFA Champions League broadcasts, honing the authoritative presence that would define his later work.

In 1999, Jauch took over Wer wird Millionär? from longtime host Thomas Gottschalk, transforming it into a ratings powerhouse that peaked at 8.5 million viewers per episode and became RTL’s flagship show, running for over 25 seasons.

He expanded into production by founding i&u TV in 2001, which developed formats like 5 gegen Jauch and co-produced his 2011–2015 ARD talk show Günther Jauch, where he grilled politicians like Angela Merkel and Helmut Schmidt on national issues. Collaborations with Gottschalk and Barbara Schöneberger on Die 2 (2013–2017) and Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert (2018–present) showcased his lighter side, while voice work in documentaries and ads for brands like DHL and WWF added to his diverse portfolio.

Günther Jauch maintains a selective schedule, focusing on Wer wird Millionär? specials, occasional 5 gegen Jauch episodes, and production oversight at i&u TV, which has sold formats internationally.

A philanthropist in the family tradition, he supports Die Arche charity for children’s aid and has donated millions to Potsdam’s historical restorations, including the Stadtschloss. His influence endures through mentoring young journalists and his role as a steady voice in German media.

Social Media

• Günther Jauch does not have a verified social media account.

Personal Life

Günther Jauch met Dorothea Sihler in 1988 at a Munich pub. They lived together for 18 years before marrying quietly in 2006 at Potsdam’s Schloss Sanssouci Orangerie, keeping the event private—Bild was later fined €200,000 for publishing photos.

They have four daughters: biological children Svenja and Kristin, and adopted sisters Katja and Mascha. The family lives in a restored historic villa on Potsdam See, where Jauch enjoys sailing, reading history, and maintaining privacy.

Net Worth

Günther Jauch has an estimated net worth of $40 million as of 2025. His wealth primarily derives from hosting fees and production royalties from Wer wird Millionär? and Stern TV, ownership stakes in i&u TV, lucrative advertising deals with companies like Haribo and DHL, and book sales from titles like his 2016 memoir Eigentlich wollte ich nur ein bisschen Sportmoderation machen.