The American singer Dean Reed died on 13 June 1986 in the GDR

Berlin, 5 June – Forty years ago, on 13 June 1986, the American singer, actor and entertainer Dean Reed died in the GDR under circumstances that remain unclear to this day. Known as the »Red Elvis«, he was one of the best-known international figures in the cultural life of the GDR and was a controversial figure in both the East and the West.

Dean Reed was born in Colorado in 1938 and initially enjoyed success as a musician in Latin America. Due to his political activism, he settled in the GDR in the early 1970s. There he became a popular star, appearing on television shows, starring in films, and being presented by the state media as a figure of international appeal.

His private life also attracted public attention. Reed was initially married to Wiebke Dorndeck, a teacher from Leipzig. Following their divorce, he married the actress Renate Blume in 1981, with whom he lived until his death.

Following a heated argument with his wife, Renate Blume, Reed disappeared on 13 June 1986. A few days later, he was found dead in Lake Zeuthen near Berlin. The investigating authorities concluded that it was a suicide. An extensive suicide note, which had remained under wraps for a long time, later came to light.

Dean Reed’s story also offers an insight into the cultural policy of the GDR and the attempts by the SED leadership to use international artists for their own political self-promotion. His life and work reflect both the tensions of the Cold War and the hopes and contradictions of a prominent émigré from the USA.

To mark the anniversary, the DDR Museum is paying tribute to one of the most colourful figures in the cultural history of the GDR.

Interview contact

For interviews and background discussions, the DDR Museum recommends:

Dr Stefan Wolle, historian and former research director of the DDR Museum. As a recognised expert on the everyday history, culture and society of the GDR, he is able to provide historical context regarding Dean Reed’s significance to the GDR public, the political exploitation of his image, and the enduring fascination surrounding his death.