Who Owns Politico?
Updated onExplore the ownership hierarchy of Politico. See parent companies, holding structures, and ultimate controllers.
Ownership Chain
Politico is a U.S.-based political news organization that publishes news, analysis, newsletters, and events — and offers a paid policy intelligence product (POLITICO Pro) for policymakers and professionals.
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.
Politico is a U.S.-based political news organization that publishes news, analysis, newsletters, and events — and offers a paid policy intelligence product (POLITICO Pro) for policymakers and professionals.
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.
Major Shareholders
Politico
Major Shareholders
| Name | Type | Ownership | Voting | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Axel Springer SE German media company that acquired 100% of POLITICO and related properties in October 2021; POLITICO operates as its subsidiary. | Corporate | 100.0% | 100.0% | Oct 2021 |
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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