The German magazine Stern claims the "Hitler Diaries" had been found in wreckage in East Germany; the diaries are subsequently revealed to be forgeries.

Stern, pronounced [ʃtɛʁn] (which means "Star" in German), stands as a prominent illustrated weekly current affairs magazine published in Hamburg, Germany. It is a flagship publication of Gruner + Jahr, a media house that is itself a subsidiary of the global giant Bertelsmann. From its inception, Stern has generally positioned itself with a broadly left-liberal editorial stance, offering its readers a nuanced perspective on contemporary issues, politics, and culture.

Early Influence and Editorial Vision

Under the visionary leadership of its founder, Henri Nannen, who served as its editor from 1948 to 1980, Stern experienced a remarkable period of growth and influence. During this era, its circulation soared, reaching an impressive 1.5 to 1.8 million copies, making it the largest magazine of its kind across Europe. This success wasn't merely due to captivating photography and engaging stories; Stern also distinguished itself by taking on a unique and crucial role in post-war West German society. At a time when many preferred to look forward, Stern, notably through contributions such as those of the eminent historian Sebastian Haffner in 1975, bravely delved into the origins and complexities of Germany's recent tragic past. This commitment to confronting the nation's history, examining the nature of Nazism and its consequences, was unusual for a popular magazine of its time and cemented Stern's reputation for serious journalism alongside its lighter fare.

The Hitler Diaries Scandal: A Turning Point

However, the magazine's hard-won credibility suffered a severe blow in 1983, a scandal that would forever be etched into its history: the infamous Hitler Diaries fraud. Stern's purchase and subsequent syndication of these purported journals of Adolf Hitler proved to be a catastrophic misjudgment, damaging its journalistic integrity profoundly. This incident not only led to a sharp, immediate drop in sales but also, in hindsight, foreshadowed a broader decline in newsprint readership that would become more pronounced in the new century. By 2019, Stern's circulation had fallen significantly, dropping to under half a million, a stark contrast to its peak decades earlier.

Unraveling the Hitler Diaries Forgery

The "Hitler Diaries," known in German as Hitler-Tagebücher, were a meticulously crafted series of sixty volumes of journals. These documents were presented as the personal writings of Adolf Hitler, but in reality, they were an elaborate and audacious forgery orchestrated by Konrad Kujau between 1981 and 1983. In 1983, Stern acquired these diaries for an astonishing sum: 9.3 million Deutsche Marks, which at the time translated to approximately £2.33 million or US$3.7 million. Eager to capitalize on their perceived scoop, Stern swiftly sold serialization rights to several prominent news organizations worldwide.

The Deception and Its Exposure

One such organization was the British newspaper The Sunday Times. Its independent director, the highly respected historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, initially pronounced the diaries genuine, lending immense weight to their authenticity. However, Trevor-Roper and several other academics were unfortunately misled by Stern journalists. In their haste and desire to keep the discovery exclusive, these journalists had misinformed the experts about critical details, including the true extent of chemical testing performed on the documents and the ambiguous nature of their East German source. This deliberate obfuscation was a calculated effort to prevent other publications from uncovering or acquiring the story. Ultimately, at a much-anticipated press conference intended to announce the diaries' publication, Trevor-Roper, upon further reflection and perhaps sensing the growing unease, announced a change of heart regarding their authenticity. Other historians simultaneously raised serious questions concerning their validity. The subsequent, rigorous forensic analysis, which regrettably had not been conducted thoroughly prior to the purchase, quickly and definitively confirmed that the diaries were nothing more than elaborate fakes.

The Master Forger and the Obsessed Journalist

The architect behind this historical hoax was Konrad Kujau, a man born and raised in East Germany with a history of minor criminal activities and a penchant for deception. In the mid-1970s, Kujau began a venture selling Nazi memorabilia that he had smuggled from East Germany. He soon discovered a cunning way to increase the value and price of ordinary souvenirs: by forging additional authentication details, he could falsely link them to high-ranking Nazi leadership. This talent for mimicry evolved, leading him to forge paintings purportedly by Hitler, followed by an increasing number of notes, poems, and letters, before he produced his very first diary in the mid-to-late 1970s. The West German journalist from Stern who was instrumental in "discovering" these diaries and deeply involved in their fateful purchase was Gerd Heidemann. Heidemann harbored a fervent, almost obsessive interest in the Nazi era, a preoccupation that made him particularly susceptible to Kujau's elaborate deception. Tragically, as Stern began to disburse payments for the diaries, Heidemann himself stole a significant proportion of the acquisition money, adding another layer of betrayal to the scandal.

Consequences and Lasting Legacy

The fallout from the Hitler Diaries fraud was swift and severe. Both Konrad Kujau and Gerd Heidemann faced legal consequences, spending time in prison for their roles in the elaborate deception. Furthermore, the scandal led to the loss of jobs for several prominent newspaper editors who had been involved in the debacle. The captivating and cautionary tale of this fraud resonated deeply within popular culture, inspiring cinematic adaptations. It became the basis for the 1991 British television film Selling Hitler, produced for ITV, and the acclaimed 1992 German cinema release Schtonk!, both of which humorously and dramatically chronicled the extraordinary events surrounding the forged diaries.

FAQs

What is Stern magazine?
Stern (German for "Star") is an illustrated, broadly left-liberal weekly current affairs magazine published in Hamburg, Germany. It is a prominent publication owned by Gruner + Jahr, a subsidiary of Bertelsmann.
Who founded Stern and what was its early success like?
Stern was founded by Henri Nannen, who served as its editor from 1948 to 1980. Under his leadership, it achieved a circulation of 1.5 to 1.8 million, becoming the largest magazine of its kind in Europe. It was also notable for investigating the tragedies of German history in the post-war era.
What was the "Hitler Diaries" scandal?
The Hitler Diaries scandal involved Stern magazine purchasing and attempting to syndicate a series of sixty forged journals, purportedly written by Adolf Hitler, between 1981 and 1983. The diaries were quickly exposed as fakes, severely damaging Stern's credibility.
Who was the forger of the Hitler Diaries?
The diaries were forged by Konrad Kujau, an East German with a history of deception, who gradually progressed from forging Nazi memorabilia authentication to creating the full diary volumes.
How much did Stern pay for the forged diaries?
Stern paid a substantial sum of 9.3 million Deutsche Marks for the diaries, which translated to approximately £2.33 million or US$3.7 million at the time.
What was the role of historian Hugh Trevor-Roper in the scandal?
Hugh Trevor-Roper, an independent director for The Sunday Times (which bought serialization rights), initially pronounced the diaries genuine. However, he and other academics were misled by Stern journalists, and Trevor-Roper later retracted his statement at the press conference announcing the publication, raising doubts about their validity.
What were the consequences for those involved in the fraud?
Konrad Kujau, the forger, and Gerd Heidemann, the Stern journalist who "discovered" and purchased the diaries (and also stole money during the transaction), both served prison sentences. Several newspaper editors also lost their jobs.
How did the scandal affect Stern's circulation?
The scandal led to a sharp drop in Stern's sales immediately after the exposé. Its circulation continued to decline over the years, falling to under half a million by 2019, reflecting both the scandal's impact and a broader trend in newsprint readership.
Were there any films or cultural adaptations about the Hitler Diaries scandal?
Yes, the story of the scandal was adapted into two notable films: the 1991 British television film "Selling Hitler" for ITV, and the critically acclaimed 1992 German cinema release "Schtonk!"