- Illegitimate grandson of Prince Carl Gustav zu Ysenburg und Büdingen.
- Following a bombing raid in Hamburg in World War II, he was trapped under the staircase of a cellar. After he event traumatized him so much that, after his rescue, he started to stutter. Vocal training later helped him to overcome it.
- Best known as host of the legendary ZDF Hitparade (1969) from 1969 to 1984. He started every edition with the phrase "Hier ist Berlin" (Here is Berlin) referring to the city's difficult political situation during the Cold War.
- Lived on his castle in Aubach, Germany.
- Most successful host of events for "Welthungerhilfe e.V.", an agency delivering humanitarian aid in developing countries.
- Has two sons, Rolf-Nils and Thomas-Kim, from his first marriage and a daughter, Saskia-Fee Isabell, with his second wife Ragnhild.
- Announced his retirement from hosting TV shows (18 November 2007).
- He was a heavy smoker and used to smoke about sixty cigarettes a day. Following a severe bronchitis in December 2005, he decided to quit smoking altogether.
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