On the death of Rita Süssmuth (1937–2026)

The German Lost Art Foundation mourns the death of the former President of the German Bundestag and member of the former Advisory Commission on Nazi-Looted Art.

3. February 2026

Contact

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Do feel free to get in touch with us directly – whether at the Foundation’s headquarters in Magdeburg or at our branch office in Berlin.
See here for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ)

German Lost Art Foundation

Humboldtstr. 12
39112 Magdeburg
Germany
Phone:  +49 (0) 391 727 763 0
E-mail:  kontakt@kulturgutverluste.de
Social:

German Lost Art Foundation Berlin Branch Office

Seydelstr. 18
10117 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 391 727 763 0
E-mail: kontakt@kulturgutverluste.de

The Help Desk offers advice and assistance to victims of the Nazi regime and their descendants on questions relating to Nazi theft of cultural property. Serving as a central and initial low-threshold point of contact in Germany, it is aimed in particular at people whose place of residence is outside Germany and who are unfamiliar with German procedures, especially in connection with cultural federalism. The Help Desk seeks to provide support in taking initial steps as well as providing further contacts and information. We will also be happy to help initiate discussions with museums and other institutions.

German Lost Art Foundation, Branch Office
Dr. Susanne Meyer-Abich
Head of Help Desk

Seydelstr. 18
10117 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 30 2338493 85
E-mail: helpdesk@kulturgutverluste.de

Former Bundestag President Rita Süssmuth died on 1 February 2026.

Like the German Lost Art Foundation itself, Rita Süssmuth was committed to the pursuit of justice regarding the restitution of cultural property expropriated as a result of Nazi persecution.

She served as a member of the Advisory Commission on the return of cultural property seized as a result of Nazi persecution, particularly from Jewish ownership, from its establishment in 2003 until its dissolution in 2025, during which time

she was involved in drafting and adopting the Commission’s recommendations. This also included the case of Westheim v. the City of Neuss, where she lived for many decades: in the dispute over a painting by Joachim Ringelnatz, the Advisory Commission recommended a settlement as a just and fair solution in 2013.

Together with the members of the former Advisory Commission, the German Lost Art Foundation mourns the loss of a highly esteemed colleague and personality.