Who Owns Axel Springer?
Updated onExplore the ownership hierarchy of Axel Springer. See parent companies, holding structures, and ultimate controllers.
Ownership Chain
Axel Springer
Axel Springer is a Berlin-based international media and technology company and Europe’s leading digital publisher, operating major news brands and digital platforms across multiple countries.
Axel Springer appears to be independent with no known parent company.
Axel Springer
Axel Springer is a Berlin-based international media and technology company and Europe’s leading digital publisher, operating major news brands and digital platforms across multiple countries.
Axel Springer appears to be independent with no known parent company.
Major Shareholders
Axel Springer
Major Shareholders
| Name | Type | Ownership | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
Friede Springer Primary family shareholder and widow of founder Axel Springer. Together with CEO Mathias Döpfner, she jointly holds about 95% of Axel Springer after the April 29, 2025 restructuring that returned the company to full family ownership; the exact split between them is not publicly disclosed. | Individual | — | Apr 2025 |
Mathias Döpfner Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of Axel Springer. Alongside Friede Springer, he jointly controls about 95% of the company’s shares following the 2025 transaction in which KKR and CPP Investments exited as shareholders; the precise allocation between the two is not publicly specified. | Individual | — | Apr 2025 |
Axel Sven Springer Grandson of company founder Axel Springer. Together with the Friede Springer Foundation, he holds the remaining roughly 5% of Axel Springer’s shares not owned by Friede Springer and Mathias Döpfner. | Individual | — | Apr 2025 |
Friede Springer Foundation Non-profit foundation associated with Friede Springer. It owns part of the approximately 5% minority stake (together with Axel Sven Springer) in Axel Springer following the 2025 restructuring; earlier disclosures indicated the foundation held about 1% before this transaction, but its current exact percentage is not publicly disclosed. | Institutional | — | Apr 2025 |
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