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2013 12 03 T085713

17. JULY 2017 CELEBRATING KÄTHE DASSLER’S 100TH BIRTHDAY

Katharina Martz, daughter of a reputed shoe last manufacturer, meets Adi Dassler in Pirmasens in 1932 where he is completing an apprenticeship at the Technical Shoemaking School. They marry two years later. »Käthe« is not only the love of Adi’s life, but also the perfect teammate.

Following the foundation of Adidas, Käthe assumes greater responsibility in the company whilst also raising the children and instilling in them the same values that guided her through life. “Mutsch”, as she is known by her entire family, teaches them to combine discipline with kindness, and hard work with cheerfulness. She also emphasises the importance of honesty. Within the company, Käthe has the innate ability to nurture customer relationships and dealing with a multitude of business tasks. This allows Adi to pour all of his energy into his new technical developments.

Following the death of her husband in 1978, Käthe takes over the management of the company. In her role as the company’s ambassador, she travels the world, often accompanied one or several of her children. In 1982, she is awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her life’s work and her services to society. In 1984, Käthe dies of a heart condition at the age of just 67.

On 17 July 2017, family members organized a celebration to mark what would have been her 100th birthday at the Hotel HerzogsPark in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The gathering was attended not only by family members, but also Adidas executives, former employees, the Dassler’s longstanding housekeeper and »family member« Vroni Bretting, as well as Herzogenaurach’s mayor German Hacker.

Naming of Käthe-Dassler-Straẞe

During the festivities, the town of Herzogenaurach acknowledged the contribution made by their honorary citizen by naming a road after her. The »Käthe-Dassler-Strasse« leads to the adidas World of Sports from the east.

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