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Michael Sommer

1952 – 2025

German trade unionist

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About Michael Sommer

Lived 1952 – 2025 (aged 73). Michael Sommer was a German politician, trade unionist, political scientist and union member.

Michael Sommer (; 15 January 1952 – 30 June 2025) was a German trade unionist leader. He served for 12 years as the chairman of the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB).

Life and career Born in Büderich, now part of Meerbusch, North Rhine-Westphalia, Sommer studied political sciences at Free University of Berlin from 1971 to 1980. His diploma thesis was on the privatization of parcel services which had formerly been part of the state post service. He was a member of the German Post Trade Union, which became part of ver.di in 2001, beginning in 1971. Sommer became a member of the Social Democratic Party in 1981.

After his final degree, Sommer worked for the trade union. He climbed the ladder in the trade union becoming chairman of ver.di on 18 March 2001. A year later, on 28 May 2002, he was elected chairman of the DGB. He served for twelve years, retiring in 2014. In 2010, he was also elected president of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Sommer died in Berlin on 30 June 2025, at the age of 73.

Other activities Aktion Deutschland Hilft (Germany's Relief Coalition), Member of the Board of Trustees Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Deputy Chairman of the Board Volkswagen, Member of the Sustainability Council (from 2016) Volkswagen Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees (from 2009) Schloss Neuhardenberg Foundation, chairman of the Board of Trustees KfW, Member of the supervisory board (2003–2014)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Freie Universität Berlin
Awards
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Order of Merit of Berlin

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Michael Sommer's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Michael Sommer?

German trade unionist

When was Michael Sommer born?

Michael Sommer was born on 15 January 1952 in Büderich.

When did Michael Sommer die?

Michael Sommer died on 30 June 2025 in Berlin.

What was Michael Sommer's occupation?

Michael Sommer was a politician, trade unionist, political scientist and union member.

What nationality was Michael Sommer?

Michael Sommer was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Michael Sommer

· Wikidata: Q76088

· DBpedia: Michael Sommer

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Michael Sommer. https://biography.guide/michael-sommer/

MLA: "Michael Sommer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/michael-sommer/.

Chicago: "Michael Sommer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/michael-sommer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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