High costs, no health insurance
But it’s not just worries about Heinz Hoenig’s health that are troubling the family. Hoenig does not have health insurance. So there is no health insurance company that will cover his treatment costs.
The actor’s management therefore launched an appeal for donations to “support Heinz and his family in covering the costs”. So far, the fundraising campaign has raised more than 155,000 euros by Saturday afternoon (May 11th). The target of 150,000 euros, which was raised again, was also achieved.
Til Schweiger with a generous donation
Numerous celebrities had announced donations for Heinz Hoenig. Hoenig’s fellow actor Til Schweiger confirmed to the “Bild” newspaper that he wanted to give 20,000 euros. Ex-Tagesschau spokesman Jan Hofer said he had contributed 200 euros. Natascha Ochsenknecht also has one Instagram video a donation was confirmed and Heinz Hoenig defended himself against attacks due to the lack of health insurance.
Annika Kärsten-Hoenig, who trained as a nurse, is overwhelmed by the sympathy: “People donate for him, think of him, they send him strength, pray for him and light a candle. I can’t even put it into words “How grateful I am for that and it makes me feel like I’m not alone.” Heinz will fight, for the children, for them and for his fans, said Annika Kärsten-Hoenig on Instagram.
Problem in the acting industry: poverty in old age
It is not uncommon for people in the acting industry to get into financial difficulties as they get older. There are structural reasons, says actor Heinrich Schafmeister from the Federal Acting Association BFFS.
In addition to difficult employment conditions, there are often gaps in insurance. Especially if there are no further major roles, this could mean that private insurance can no longer be paid.
Health insurance vicious circle at Hoenig
Heinz Hoenig’s management described a similar vicious circle at Hoenig: “Due to a lack of orders, Mr Hoenig was ultimately no longer able to pay the health insurance contributions. Since he was insured differently through different orders, it first had to be determined which health insurance company he was last insured with Since Mr. Hoenig is over 55 years old, this also made the process of being reinstated to the health insurance more difficult.
Colleagues shocked by the news – premiere without Hoenig
Heinz Hoenig was currently in the middle of rehearsals for the musical “A Little Peace”. German Theater in Munich. According to producer Ralph Siegel, after his serious illness there is a shadow over the premiere of the musical, which takes place on May 9th. took place.
“We are thinking of Heinz Hoenig, we wish him all the best,” said Siegel at the premiere party. “We wish him that he gets better soon and that he has a long life.”
Simone Ballack is on stage for the first time and should have appeared with Heinz Hoenig. In an interview with BRISANT, she says: “Nobody was prepared for it, and he’s actually feeling very badly. Now we have to make sure we can get it all done anyway.”
Alexander Kerbst took over for Hoenig, who was already scheduled for several performances and who has already presented “A Bit of Peace” at the Neuschwanstein Festival Hall.
Breakthrough with the film “Das Boot”
Heinz Hoenig became famous for his role in the film in 1981 “The boat” known alongside Jürgen Prochnow and Herbert Grönemeyer. This was followed by countless appearances in TV series, such as “Tatort”, “Our teacher Doctor Specht” and “The Dreamboat.”
At the beginning of 2024 he took part in the RTL show “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!” part. As a precaution, he had to leave the jungle camp for medical reasons.
Hoenig has been married to his second wife Annika since 2019. He has a total of four children (two from his first marriage, two small children from his second) and lives in Blankenburg in the Harz Mountains.