It is with deep sadness that the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband, DVV) bids farewell to its honorary president, Dr Rita Süssmuth (* 17. Februar 1937; † 01. Februar 2026). For over 35 years and up to the very end, she fought alongside us to strengthen publicly funded continuing education. With the death of Dr Rita Süssmuth, the adult learning and education family has lost its courageous and convincing advocate, and our country has lost one of its most committed politicians.
On 24 April 1988, Dr Rita Süssmuth was elected president of the German Adult Education Association (DVV) for the first time. As the first woman and first leading politician to hold this honorary position, she not only brought with her extraordinary political experience, but also enriched the association’s work with her teaching expertise and her deep understanding of educational contexts.
Although her high political offices – initially as Minister for Youth, Family and Health, then as President of the Bundestag – entailed a great deal of responsibility, Rita Süssmuth was consistently dedicated to her work at DVV. For her, the DVV presidency was always more than a symbolic, honorary position. Throughout her life, she shared the same conviction fostered by adult learning and education (ALE), namely that education is the key to an open and just society. Based on this conviction, she fought passionately for an inclusive and integrative education policy that never focused solely on the acquisition of knowledge. She adhered to the motto that lifelong learning opens up a path rich in opportunities for every individual and forms the social foundation for cultural diversity and democratic cohesion.
Over the years, whether while promoting educational equity or political participation, strengthening marginalised groups, integrating immigrants or expanding international cooperation and community, Süssmuth combined many political achievements as a progressive social politician with her commitment to the cause of adult learning and education. During her 27 years as president of the DVV, Rita Süssmuth’s determination and perseverance enabled her to repeatedly draw attention not only to the issues themselves, but also to German ALE centres (Volkshochschulen), and to raise awareness of the achievements of publicly funded continuing education.
In recognition of her decades of commitment, the DVV General Assembly unanimously elected Rita Süssmuth as the association’s first honorary president in 2015 after she stepped down from the official presidency. In this role, she remained a prominent and successful supporter of German Volkshochschulen even after her active political career.
At the same time, as a member of the Board of Trustees of DVV International, she was an advocate for international cooperation in ALE worldwide. In honour of her international commitment, DVV International instituted the ‘Rita Süssmuth Award for International ALE Centres’ in 2019. Most recently, on 4 June 2025, the award was awarded at the General Assembly of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) in Leipzig to Volkshochschulen which adhere to Süssmuth’s example through making a remarkable effort to establishing international connections, building bridges, welcoming people and broadening perspectives.
Rita Süssmuth was a visionary who always put people at the heart of every deliberation. She inspired and encouraged generations to exercise their rights and opportunities. Her tireless commitment to social justice and equal opportunities set standards for all those who now and will in future bear responsibility for education, education policy and social policy in our country.
At this time of farewell, our thoughts are with her family, her friends and all those who had the good fortune to work with Dr Süssmuth or benefit from her wisdom and humanity. Rita Süssmuth will live on in the memory of Volkshochschulen and in the hearts of all their staff. She inspired, encouraged and enriched us. We held her in high esteem and loved her dearly.