Golden Hen Audience Award Goes to Unheilig Singer Der Graf

Unheilig singer Der Graf received an audience award at the 2026 Golden Hen ceremony, following his emotional return to the stage at last year’s gala. He accepted the media prize in the music category and said he was overwhelmed.

The live ceremony at the Leipzig trade fair presented 11 awards to stars from music, film, entertainment and sport, as well as to everyday heroes. Esther Sedlaczek and Florian Silbereisen hosted the event, organized by MDR and SuperIllu in cooperation with NDR, BR and rbb.

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I am truly overwhelmed.

Other audience prizes went to comedian and podcaster Felix Lobrecht, pair-skating world champions Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin, and entertainer Hape Kerkeling. Honorary awards went to singer Helene Fischer, British boy band Take That, the television series Babylon Berlin and Majeed Yarim, who acted as a first responder after the mass-casualty vehicle attack in Leipzig in May.

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Besides, I have already received several lifetime achievement awards. Always too early.

Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl personally accepted a Golden Hen for lifetime achievement at age 95. He is among the few artists to have succeeded both in East Germany and West Germany, and later appeared in acclaimed Hollywood films.

“Besides, I have already received several lifetime achievement awards. Always too early,” Mueller-Stahl said as he accepted the honor. The award came close to his 96th birthday. “And I am still staying here,” he added.

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And I am still staying here.