Actor Heinz Hoenig is fighting for his life after heart surgery. The 72-year-old is in the intensive care unit in a Berlin clinic. Most recently he took part in the RTL show “I’m a Star – Get Me Out of Here!” part – and was already suffering from health problems there.
He had no idea what he was getting into. “I don’t know anything about the jungle camp, I’ve never watched it before. It will be an experiment and a new experience,” Heinz Hoenig told the “Bild” newspaper in January this year. The actor was one of twelve candidates in the 17th season of the RTL show “I’m a Star – Get Me Out of Here!”.
Reality TV actors such as Mike Heiter, Leyla Lahouar, Fabio Knez and Kim Virginia Hartung moved with him to the Australian jungle. Hoenig was undoubtedly the biggest name in this year’s season – and at the same time, at 72, the oldest candidate. However, his participation was subject to restrictions from the start.
Heinz Hoenig was banned from all tests in the jungle camp
When he moved in, he didn’t have to jump out of a helicopter into a lake like the other celebrities and then make his way to the camp after a strenuous water test. Hoenig and fellow camper Cora Schumacher were driven to their test on a trike, which was comparatively relaxed: Hoenig gave instructions while Schumacher collected stars while paddling in a boat.
During the first food test, Hoenig was “only” served a shake made from pureed Superworm with cockroaches, while his fellow campers choked down pig penis, goat testicles and fish eyes. In the coming days, the 72-year-old was banned from all exams for health reasons. For data protection reasons, the broadcaster did not disclose what exactly was missing from Hoenig.
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The fact that Hoenig was never able to be chosen for a test caused a lack of understanding among some fans of the format. At the campfire, however, the actor quickly became a likeable “camp grandpa.” The moments with vacuum cleaner representative Fabio Knez were particularly memorable. How the two walked hand in hand through the jungle, went on a treasure hunt together and bathed in the pond. In the meantime, Hoenig brought atmosphere to the camp when he encouraged his fellow participants to move with primal scream-like acting exercises and drummed on a bucket.
The actor often seemed exhausted. It was noticeable that he was not completely physically fit and that he was suffering from the heat and the separation from his family. With his second wife Annika he has two sons who were born in 2020 and 2022. “I sometimes hear the little ones calling ‘Daddy’! They’re such lovely boys. I have such a lovely family. A few more sleeps, boys, and then I’ll be back,” Hoenig sobbed on day nine. As a luxury item, he had two of his children’s pacifiers with him and a pillow with photos of his loved ones.
Ex-jungle camper
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Heinz Hoenig had to leave the camp early on medical advice
In the end, Hoenig’s farewell to the jungle came faster than planned: for health reasons, he had to leave the camp early on day twelve. “The jungle is a strenuous challenge for everyone. Heinz Hoenig performed excellently for almost two weeks. Our team of doctors decided to take him out of the camp as a precaution. Heinz Hoenig is doing well, he is with his family,” said RTL at that time with. Before moving out, Hoenig completed one last food test together with Mike Heiter and Fabio Knez. But the actor was also taken into consideration for health reasons. He choked down the smallest portion and only had to drink half a glass of a shake made from mouse tails with wrung out rag water. For “medical reasons,” the exam was “slightly adjusted for Heinz Hoenig,” said an RTL spokesman.
At the time, it was impossible to imagine that his health would deteriorate so rapidly. The broadcaster RTL learned from the actor’s entourage that he was taken by helicopter to a Berlin clinic on April 30th and had to have a heart operation there; a second operation is planned. The 72-year-old’s condition is critical and Hoenig is in a coma in the intensive care unit. His manager told RTL that Hoenig was “waiting for urgent, life-saving heart surgery, which is expected to take place on May 3rd.” In addition to numerous colleagues and companions, his wife Annika and their two sons are now fearing for Heinz Hoenig’s life.
Transparency note: The star is part of RTL Germany.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
