At 8 p.m. sharp, Judith Rakers greeted the ARD audience one last time: “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the Tagesschau.” It was her last broadcast. Judith Rakers, one of the most famous news anchors in Germany, is quitting.
As usual, Rakers led through topics such as the Bundestag session, asylum law and inflation rates – she briefly and succinctly said goodbye after the weather. “I would like to say a very subtle goodbye, ladies and gentlemen, because this is my last Tagesschau program today,” said Rakers at the end of the program. “Thank you for letting me into your living room again and again over the last 19 years. And thank you to the best colleagues in the world. Have a nice evening, goodbye!”
Rakers said a simple farewell and was presented with flowers at the end by her team led by chief news anchor Jens Riewa. Audience favorite Jan Hofer had a somewhat lavish farewell in December 2020. After 36 years, he finally took off his tie.
The 48-year-old announced her departure in mid-January. “I know many of you have gotten used to me on the 8 p.m. daily news, night shows, morning shows and weekend editions,” Rakers wrote on Instagram. “I’ve gotten used to it myself, but now it’s time for change and the courage to implement it. I’m really looking forward to everything that comes.”
In the future, she would like to concentrate more on her entrepreneurial activities – for example, Rakers has written a children’s book called “Judith’s Little Farm” and has been active in gardening for years.
Rakers has presented the news on the “Tagesschau” for over 19 years. She continues to moderate the talk show “3nach9” (Radio Bremen/NDR), and she also continues to present episodes of the ARD travel magazine “Wunderschön”.
According to ARD, there will initially be no successor for Rakers at the “Tagesschau”. The main edition at 8 p.m., which is seen by millions of viewers every day, will continue to be presented by Jens Riewa, Susanne Daubner, Julia-Niharika Sen, Thorsten Schröder and Constantin Schreiber.
Sources: With material from the DPA news agency
