Gütersloh – The prestigious Reinhard Mohn Prize has been awarded to two distinguished individuals, President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Otto. The award, presented by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, was given in recognition of their unwavering commitment to democratic values and a free society. The ceremony took place on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Gütersloh Theater, with an audience of 500 guests. Germany’s Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Liz Mohn, honorary member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Board of Trustees and the foundation’s global representative, delivered the presentation speeches. The two recipients will share the €200,000 prize money and donate it to non-profit projects and initiatives. The event was livestreamed by the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
In her speech, Liz Mohn expressed the importance of maintaining, developing, and strengthening democracy, stating, “Democracy faces enormous challenges in today’s crisis-torn world. This was one of the key concerns of my husband and I when we established the Bertelsmann Stiftung. Therefore, we are proud to award the Reinhard Mohn Prize to Maia Sandu and Michael Otto, sending a strong signal in support of democracy.”
President Maia Sandu acknowledged the challenges faced by democracy and the importance of standing up for it, even in the face of adversity. She stated, “In Moldova, we have chosen the path of democracy, freedom, and European integration, despite immense challenges and external pressures. The recent elections and referendum showed the resilience of our people and their unwavering commitment to a future in the European family. This award is not just for me – it belongs to the people of Moldova, who have chosen democracy over fear, truth over disinformation, and progress over stagnation.”
Michael Otto, the second recipient of the Reinhard Mohn Prize, emphasized the importance of diversity in democracy and the need to preserve and strengthen liberal democracy. He stated, “Democracy thrives on diversity, just as democracy alone can create diversity: diversity of opinions, of voices and of solutions and the possibilities for realizing them. It is the only way to obtain the best solutions for the future. That is why we must all do our utmost to preserve and strengthen liberal democracy.”
Maia Sandu has been the President of the Republic of Moldova since the end of 2020 and was re-elected for a second term in November. Despite documented attempts by Russia to prevent her re-election through manipulation, interference, and disinformation, she has actively promoted Moldova’s EU integration for years.
Michael Otto, former chairman of the Executive Board of the Otto Group, has been a strong advocate for environmental protection, development aid, and social and educational projects. He has established several foundations, including the environmental foundation bearing his name, Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft, and the Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability.
For more information, please contact Jochen Arntz at +49 52 41 81 81 129 or via email at jochen.arntz@bertelsmann-stiftung.de.
The Reinhard Mohn Prize is named in honor of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s founder, Reinhard Mohn, and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to finding solutions to social and political challenges. Previous recipients include Joachim Gauck, Rita Süssmuth, and Kofi Annan. More information about the Reinhard Mohn Prize can be found on the Reinhard Mohn Prize website and the Strengthen Democracy! website.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.