Overview

• SWR confirmed to dpa that Stefanie Mross died in Upper Bavaria on Wednesday at age 85, following initial reports by Bild.
• Family accounts described the death as unexpected during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, and she had been living with dementia in a senior facility since autumn 2024.
• Stefan Mross stepped back from this weekend’s live ARD edition to be with his loved ones, the broadcaster said.
• Stefanie Hertel will lead the program on Sunday, supported by Uta Bresan, in a change arranged on Mross’s explicit request.
• The show from Europa-Park Rust will air as scheduled as the season nears its conclusion, and Mross has not yet issued a public statement.