GERMANY: GERMAN INVENTOR HELPS WIFE LOOK FOR NEW HUSBAND IN PREPARATION FOR HIS DEATH

Record ID: 566050

  • Title: GERMANY: GERMAN INVENTOR HELPS WIFE LOOK FOR NEW HUSBAND IN PREPARATION FOR HIS DEATH
  • Date: 13th January 1996
  • Summary: TEGERNSEE, GERMANY (JANUARY 13, 1996) (RTV - AVAILABLE ALL) 1. SV EXTERIOR APARTMENTS 0.12 2. SV WALTER THIELE AT DESK WITH NEWSPAPERS 0.20 3. SV THIELE AND WIFE RENATE LOOKING THROUGH MAIL 1.00 4. SV POSTER READING :"DEAR RENATE, I LOVE YOU" (GERMAN) 1.05 5. SCU THIELE DEMONSTRATING LAUGHING MACHINE 1.14 6. SV THIELE SHOWING BOOK ABOUT HIMSELF WITH TITLE: "THIELE, THE MAKER OF MILLIONS" (GERMAN) 1.59 7. SV WALTER THIELE SAYS: "SHORTLY BEFORE MY 75TH BIRTHDAY I FELT THAT MY WIFE SHOULD NOT BE ALONE IN THE WORLD. WITH THIS IDEA I THOUGHT OF A WAY TO HELP HER FIND THE RIGHT MAN . IT WORKED OUT THAT WAY" (GERMAN) 2.35 8. SCU RENATE THIELE SAYS: "YES, I DO AGREE WITH THE IDEA. HOWEVER, I AM A LITTLE UNHAPPY ABOUT IT. THE MEDIA ATTENTION WAS A LITTLE TOO MUCH. WE DID NOT EXPECT SUCH A MASSIVE REACTION, I LIKE THE IDEA, THAT WE CAN PICK OUT THE MAN TOGETHER. MY HUSBAND DOES HAVE A LITTLE MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I DO" (GERMAN) 2.45 9. SV COUPLE ON COUCH 2.48 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 28th January 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TEGERNSEE, GERMANY
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA73R4CH8HWWE18L667CT2Z94JA
  • Story Text: An ageing German whose off-beat inventions made him rich has launched a search for the man to succeed him when he leaves his young wife a widow.

    Walter Thiele, 74, says thousands of men have responded to classified advertisements he has placed in newspapers across Germany.

    "Shortly before my 75th birthday I felt that my wife should not be alone in the world. With this idea I thought of a way to help her find the right man", said millionaire Walter Thiele, at his home in the southern German town of Tegernsee on Saturday (January 13).

    According to the plan, this 'right' man will inherit Thiele's millions once he dies.

    Renate, the eccentric inventor's second wife whom he says is 28 years old, agreed.

    "I like the idea. That way we can pick out the man together", she said.

    Together with his wife, Thiele, whose 1,500 inventions include a laughing machine in a bag, a fireproof attache case and a baby bottle thermometer, is now sifting through the overwhelming amount of responses to find the right man.

    The unusual search has also received heavy media attention, making headlines in tabloid papers and resultimg in the Thieles' appearance on several German prime-time television talk shows.

    The couple are planning to arrange face-to-face meetings with the best candidates.


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