Fritz Wepper is dead. The actor, who had to say goodbye to his brother Elmar († 79) only in October 2024, fell asleep peacefully on Monday morning. He spent the last weeks of his life in a hospice in Upper Bavaria. He was 82 years old.
The acting legend leaves behind his wife Susanne Kellermann (49), their daughter Filippa (12) and daughter Sophie (42) from his first marriage to Angela Wepper († 76). What all four have in common is that they are women who were important to Wepper throughout his life – in two different lives. He couldn't always choose between them. A glimpse into Fritz Wepper's extraordinary love story.
Angela Wepper was in a relationship and left Fritz for the prince
Fritz Wepper's first marriage was in 1979 to Angela von Morgen. She even left her first husband, Ferfried Prince of Hohenzollern († 79), for him. “I found the dazzling life next to him much more exciting than the aristocratic entourage I used to travel with,” Angela explained in an interview with “Bild” in 2014. And further: “I was completely in love and did not hesitate for a moment to leave my then-husband to follow Fritz. We lived an exciting life full of passion. I do not regret a day. And even if passion has become less important in our era, I think it is absolutely fine. Today, other values matter. Love has turned into deep friendship.”
At Liza Minelli's concert, Fritz Wepper falls in love with Susanne
In 2009, however, there was a massive break in their marriage: Fritz Wepper fell in love with a younger cameraman, Susanne Kellermann. The two met by chance at a Liza Minelli concert. At the time, the woman was grieving the end of the relationship and the man was grieving his recently deceased mother. “In this phase, we were both hypersensitive, discussing life and death and finding the spark of courage to live again.” When saying goodbye, Wepper, 35 years older than him, looked at him, right into my soul. ” explained Kellermann in a 2010 interview with BUNTE Magazine. It happened to him immediately.
In 2011, their happiness was crowned by the birth of their daughter Filippa, but only a year later everything was over. At least for now. The reason: the public pressure on young love was too great. The topic dominated the tabloids of this country for months.
Angela Wepper was used to Fritz's affairs – but with Susanne it was different
Angela Wepper once said in an interview with “Bild” about her husband's affair: “Fritz has often gone to charity with other women. That's just the way he is. But I always knew that he would always come back to me. When he met Susanne, I had the first times sick to my stomach. I instinctively felt that this was something else. For the first time I felt that there was a woman who did not care only about her fame and money. I was afraid that he really loved her.” Kellermann did as he repeatedly insisted, but the couple broke up nonetheless.
In an interview with BUNTE, the then 70-year-old said that their relationship “can no longer live in peace”. Kellermann added: “We endured a lot together. Now we just can't do it anymore. Our love didn't stand a chance. Therefore, we decided to separate as a couple. But as friends and parents, we stick together.” The split was “a sensible decision for the good of our daughter,” said the actor, who moved back in with his wife after the split.
“We have a big house with different living spaces. “Angela and I have no problem sitting at the breakfast table together.” But in the end, Susanne and Fritz also got their happy ending. Because a year after the TV star had to bury his wife Angela – who died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage – he dared to do it again. With my Susanne. They promised to love each other forever – until death do them part. They stuck with it.