Gütersloh – The prestigious Reinhard Mohn Prize was awarded today by the Bertelsmann Stiftung to two worthy recipients, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Otto. The award ceremony, held at the Gütersloh Theater and broadcasted via livestream, saw Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Liz Mohn, honorary member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Board of Trustees and global representative of the foundation, deliver speeches in front of an audience of 500 guests.
The 2025 Reinhard Mohn Prize, with the theme “Strengthen democracy!”, was given to Sandu and Otto in recognition of their unwavering commitment to democratic values and a free society. The two recipients will share the prize money of €200,000 and donate it to non-profit projects and initiatives.
In her speech, Liz Mohn emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening democracy in a world full of crises, stating that it was one of the key concerns of her and her husband when they established the Bertelsmann Stiftung. She added that awarding the Reinhard Mohn Prize to Sandu and Otto was a strong signal in support of democracy.
In her acceptance speech, Sandu expressed that democracy thrives when people stand up for it, even in the face of adversity. She acknowledged the challenges and external pressures faced by Moldova in their pursuit of democracy, freedom, and European integration. Sandu also highlighted the recent elections and referendum, which showcased the resilience of the Moldovan people and their commitment to a future in the European family. She dedicated the award to the people of Moldova who chose democracy over fear and progress over stagnation.
Similarly, Otto spoke about the importance of diversity in democracy and how it allows for the best solutions to be realized. He emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen liberal democracy.
Sandu, who has been the president of Moldova since the end of 2020, was elected for a second term at the beginning of November. Throughout her election campaign, Sandu faced attempts by Russia to manipulate and interfere with the voting process through disinformation. She has been a strong advocate for Moldova’s EU integration for years.
Otto, who served as the chairman of the Executive Board of the Otto Group from 1981 to 2007 and has been the chairman of its Supervisory Board since then, has been a long-time advocate for environmental protection, development aid, and social and educational projects. He has established several foundations, including the Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability and the environmental foundation bearing his name.
For more information about the award and its recipients, please visit the Reinhard Mohn Prize website and the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s website on strengthening democracy.
Contact:
Jochen Arntz
Tel: +49 52 41 81 81 129
Email: jochen.arntz@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
About the Reinhard Mohn Prize:
The Reinhard Mohn Prize, named in memory of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s founder Reinhard Mohn († October 2009), is awarded to internationally renowned individuals who have made significant contributions towards developing forward-looking solutions to social and political challenges. Past recipients include Joachim Gauck, Rita Süssmuth, and Kofi Annan. More information about the Reinhard Mohn Prize can be found on its website.