Dieter Bohlen
Born 1954 · Age 71
German songwriter, producer, singer and television personality; member of Modern Talking; longtime judge on Deutschland sucht den Superstar and Das Supertalent; author and entrepreneur.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Berne, West Germany
Dieter Günter Bohlen born to Hans and Edith Bohlen in Berne, West Germany.
Monza released second single
Monza released 'Heiße Nacht in der City' (German cover of 'Hot Night in the City'); unsuccessful.
Founded musical duo Monza (with Holger Garbode)
Short-lived duo Monza formed; released first single 'Hallo Taxi Nummer 10' (unsuccessful).
Graduated with degree in Business Administration (Georg-August-Universität)
Finished business administration studies in Göttingen in 1978 at parents' request.
Worked as songwriter at Intersong (late 1970s)
Wrote songs for numerous Schlager singers while living in Hamburg region.
Joined Hansa label; released single as 'Steve Benson'
Began working for Berlin-based Hansa; released English single 'Don't Throw My Love Away' under pseudonym Steve Benson.
Abandoned Steve Benson solo project
Released two additional singles 'Love Takes Time' and '(You're A Devil With) Angel Blue Eyes' which did not reach top 100; project stopped.
Joined the band Sunday; TV appearance
Joined Sunday and appeared on ZDF-Hitparade in early 1982 with 'Halé, hey Louise'.
Produced initial singles for Thomas Anders (1982–1984)
Produced six German singles for Thomas Anders which were unsuccessful; led to forming duo with him later.
Wrote 'Mit 17' for Bernd Clüver
Co-wrote 'Mit 17' with Manfred Setzer; reached third place in the German pre-selection for Eurovision.
Married Erika Sauerland
Married Erika Sauerland in 1983 (they had met 1974); the couple had three children together.
Founded Modern Talking (with Thomas Anders)
Formed the pop duo Modern Talking; would become internationally successful in the mid-1980s.
'You're My Heart, You're My Soul' hit #1 in Germany
Modern Talking's breakthrough single topped the German singles chart, beginning a run of hits.
Multiple Modern Talking chart-topping singles (mid-1980s)
Modern Talking scored consecutive #1 hits including 'You Can Win If You Want', 'Cheri, Cheri Lady', 'Brother Louie' and 'Atlantis Is Calling'.
Goldene Stimmgabel – Most successful composer/producer
Awarded Goldene Stimmgabel in 1985.
Wrote 'Midnight Lady' (Chris Norman)
Wrote and produced 'Midnight Lady' for Chris Norman as the title song of a Tatort episode; major Central European hit, topping charts.
Founded solo project Blue System
Started Blue System as his solo project after Modern Talking's breakup; the project continued for about ten years.
Modern Talking split
The duo disbanded in 1987 after huge commercial success in the mid-1980s.
Released 'Silent Water' as Blue System
Wrote the title song for a Tatort episode ('Moltke') and performed it as Blue System.
Two Eurovision entries (songs he wrote/produced)
Nino de Angelo represented Germany with 'Flieger' (14th) and Thomas Forstner represented Austria with 'Nur ein Lied' (5th).
Divorced Erika Sauerland
Marriage to Erika Sauerland ended in 1989.
Started relationship with Nadja Abd el Farrag (first period)
Began relationship with television personality Nadja Abd el Farrag in 1989 ( relationship periods 1989–1996 and 1997–2001 ).
Wrote soundtrack for 'Rivalen der Rennbahn' (certified platinum)
Soundtrack certified platinum in Germany and reached top 5 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Produced Roy Black's final album 'Rosenzeit'
Produced the final album of Roy Black.
Began collaboration with Bonnie Tyler (1991–1993)
Produced the albums Bitterblue, Angel Heart, and Silhouette in Red (1991–1993), producing several successful singles.
'Zusammen geh'n' represented Austria at Eurovision (Tony Wegas)
Bohlen composition 'Zusammen geh'n' reached 10th place at Eurovision.
Married Verona Feldbusch (Las Vegas)
Married model Verona Feldbusch in Las Vegas on 13 May 1996; separated after four weeks.
Blue System ended (circa 1997)
Blue System, started in 1987, was wound down roughly ten years later (mid-late 1990s).
Divorce from Verona Feldbusch finalized
Divorce finalized 27 May 1997 after short marriage.
VIVA Comet Lifetime Achievement Award
Received VIVA Comet lifetime achievement recognition.
Modern Talking comeback
Modern Talking reunited and released successful singles including re-recordings and F1-related songs ('Win the Race', 'Ready for the Victory').
Lived with Estefania Küster (2001–2006)
Cohabited with model/dancer Estefania Küster; they had a son Maurice Cassian (born 7 July 2005).
Published first autobiography 'Nichts als die Wahrheit'
Co-written with Katja Kessler; sold over one million copies in Germany and received the Goldene Feder.
Became judge on 'Deutschland sucht den Superstar' (DSDS)
Show launched in 2002 and Bohlen has been a judge each season; he produced many winners and hits.
Modern Talking split again
The 1998 reunion ended and the duo split up in 2003.
Received multiple honors in 2003 (books/awards)
2003 saw awards and recognitions including German Book Prize (public, 2nd), Goldene Feder, Media Control Award, GQ Man of the Year, Bambi Pop National and ranking No. 30 in 'Unsere Besten'.
Published second autobiography 'Hinter den Kulissen'
Follow-up book with Katja Kessler; drew criticism and legal disputes involving former bandmate Thomas Anders.
Won ECHO Awards
Won ECHO for Producer of the Year; 'We Have a Dream' earned ECHO for Rock/Pop Single of the Year (National).
Released perfume 'Provocation'
Launched a fragrance under his name.
Son Maurice Cassian born
Son Maurice Cassian born on 7 July 2005 (mother Estefania Küster).
Released audiobook editions of his autobiographies
Both 'Nichts als die Wahrheit' and 'Hinter den Kulissen' were released as audiobooks read by Bohlen.
Premiered 'Dieter: Der Film' (March 2006)
Satirical cartoon film based on his autobiography; he voiced the narrator and wrote/produced the full soundtrack including unreleased Modern Talking song 'Shooting Star'.
Produced 'Be My Boyfriend' for Indiggo
Song reached 7th place in the Romanian pre-selection for Eurovision 2006.
Launched judge role on 'Das Supertalent'
Joined the German Got Talent franchise as a judge from launch and remained on every season.
Album 'Dreamcatcher' (with Mark Medlock) released
Album charted at #2 in Germany; single 'You Can Get It' reached #1 in Germany.
Received Platin-Otto Lifetime Achievement Award
Honored with Platin-Otto Lifetime Achievement in 2008.
Published two books (2008)
Released 'Nur die Harten kommen in den Garten! Der Weg zum Superstar' and 'Der Bohlenweg: Planieren statt Sanieren'.
Began collaboration with Andrea Berg
Started producing Schlager singer Andrea Berg; all albums he produced for her topped German and Austrian album charts.
Became long-term advertising partner of Camp David (approx. start)
He has been a longtime advertising partner; by 2020 had been the face for 10 years (implying partnership ≈2010).
Founded clothing label 'Needs Clothing' (with Felix Werner)
Launched fashion label (citation needed in source, but stated).
Reported DSDS earnings of €1.2M per season (public figure)
Public reporting indicates he earns €1.2 million per season as a DSDS judge (citation in sources).
Daughter Amelie born
Bohlen and partner Fatma Carina Walz welcomed daughter Amelie on 22 March 2011.
Released wallpaper line through P+S
Launched a line of wallpapers in collaboration with P+S.
Son Maximilian born
Bohlen's son Maximilian was born 7 September 2013 with partner Fatma Carina Walz.
Manager Magazine estimated net worth ~€250M
Manager Magazine reported Bohlen's net worth as €250 million, making him one of the thousand richest Germans.
Ended collaboration with Andrea Berg
Announced end of collaboration by email on 17 March 2018.
Chart success continued (example: 2019 'Das Mega Album!')
Released 'Das Mega Album!' which charted in several countries (Germany #4, Austria #7, Switzerland #9).
Announced two new songs with Andrea Berg
Bohlen and Andrea Berg announced on 3 April 2019 that they would publish two new songs together.
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