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Berlin – Federal Economics Minister Katerina Reiche (52) and Councilor Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (54) surprised the political community with their relationship in 2024. The first time they publicly appeared very familiar was in the stands at the CHIO riding tournament on July 7, 2024 in Aachen. For the time being, they kept their love secret. It was not until April 2025 that Reich and Guttenberg’s lawyer, Christian Scherz, confirmed that they were in a relationship.
Now Bunte magazine has reported that the couple has separated. Is it really over after almost three years of love? No! Reiche and zu Guttenberg denied information about their separation to BILD. In response to a question from BILD, her lawyer Scherz explained: “Today’s news in the Bunten newspaper that my clients have separated has no basis. They are still a couple. We will take strict action against the reporting and demand a retraction on the front page and ban all reporting.”
Reiche has been Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy in the cabinet of Chancellor Merz since May 2025.
Retired from politics: Guttenberg at the OMR 2024 festival
Reiche and Guttenberg have been friends for many years.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Katerina Reiche have known each other since they worked together as CDU and CSU politicians in the German Bundestag, of which they were members in the 2000s. They have held joint public meetings in the past. Only years later did friendship develop into love.
Zu Guttenberg and Reiche in 2009 at a joint meeting in Potsdam.
Simultaneous separation of spouses
Rich was a member from 1998 to 2015 German BundestagFrom 2005 to 2009 she was vice-president of the Union parliamentary group. Until 2015, she worked as Secretary of State (at the Ministry of Natural Resources, then at the Ministry of Transport). She has served as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy since May 6, 2025. In her personal life, she was together with former Brandenburg MP Sven Petke (58) for a good 30 years. The couple has three children. The divorce became known in 2023.
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Here the Guttenbergs have already separated, but have not yet announced their separation. In May 2023, Stephanie zu Bismarck-Schönhausen (49) and the former politician appeared together at a wedding in Munich.
They also broke up shortly before this. Guttenberg and his ex-wife Stefanie zu Bismarck-Schönhausen (49 years old) after 23 years of marriage. According to BILD, they have not been a couple since December 2022, and the Guttenbergs kept their split secret for months. Von Guttenberg retired from politics in 2011 after a plagiarism scandal and now works as a consultant and entrepreneur. He also co-produces and hosts documentaries and other journalistic formats.