34 years “consultation hour”: TV doctor Kühnemann died shortly after her 80th birthday

For decades she was one of the best-known faces of medical journalism on German television: Now the TV presenter and doctor Antje-Katrin Kühnemann has been dead. The prominent health expert died a few days after her 80th birthday, said Bavarian Radio. The long -time girlfriend Carolin Reiber confirmed this to the BR. The media group “Münchner Merkur/TZ” had previously reported on Kühnemann’s death.

Kühnemann moderated the health magazine “The Consultant” on BR television from the first episode in 1973 to the last episode in 2007. On the occasion of her round birthday on February 22nd, she had reported on her health problems in an interview.

She hoped for a reunion with her late husband

“I don’t want to bore people by talking about my illnesses. I am not doing well at all,” said the “evening newspaper” doctor on the occasion of her 80th birthday. “But, my, that’s the way it is, I don’t want to whine.” The worst thing is that she can hardly get up anymore, has little strength and is dependent on the help of others.

She is not afraid of death, Kühnemann said. This had to do with her man who died in 2021, whom she had maintained until his death. “I look forward to seeing him again and have hope that our energies will meet after my death.”

“Pioneer of Health Journalism”

“Antje-Katrin Kühnemann has accompanied millions of spectators with her sensitive nature and expertise for decades,” said BR director Katja Wildermuth. “She had the gift of simply explaining difficult medical topics.” Kühnemann is “a pioneer of health journalism”.

Kühnemann was born in Herz in Herz and grew up in Munich. She studied medicine and also earned money from the Bavarian Radio – as the youngest television announcer at the time. Later she moderated programs such as “Saturday club” before she became known to a large audience with the “consultation hour” and other health formats.

Golden camera, Bambi, Order of Merit

However, the end of the popular “consultation hour” magazine was not harmonious. The BR set the television classic after 34 years as part of a program reform, Germany’s best-known television doctor then complained about the end. “Of course I’m sad, who likes to stop after such a long time?” She said in 2007.

Kühnemann was honored for her work with the Golden Camera, the Bambi, the Bavarian Order of Merit and the Federal Cross of Merit. She was also involved in leukemia as a prominent ambassador at the Blood Cancer Foundation of Startenor José Carreras.