The first TV presenter with glasses: NDR television favorite Hanni Vanhaiden dies at the age of 88

Former North German Broadcasting presenter Hanni Vanhaiden has died at the age of 88. Her family published a notice of mourning in the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper, revealing that she passed away on October 11. The announcement was made public on October 24 and listed her birth name, Hümpel, alongside her married name, Köchermann. The broadcaster confirmed the death. One earlier report cited her age as 84, but the obituary and subsequent confirmations specify 88. Vanhaiden began her career in performing arts before entering television. She danced with the ballet company of the Hamburg State Opera from 1956 until 1967. She served as a soloist during her final year with the troupe. Following this period, she joined the NDR. Her initial role involved announcing the afternoon children’s program. She quickly became a recognizable figure due to her distinct appearance. From the 1970s until the end of her television career, she wore a white-blonde short haircut and large glasses. She was the first female announcer in Germany to appear on camera wearing eyewear. This choice sparked a fashion trend. In 2023, the Süddeutsche Zeitung recalled that customers could ask opticians for a "Hanni Vanhaiden" model in the 1970s and receive the specific pair without confusion. Her work extended beyond simple announcements. She hosted the ARD children's show Emm wie Meikel, appearing alongside a puppet. She also presented the ARD guide series on technology and the BBC language course Deutsch Direkt. She appeared as a guest on the Rudi Carrell Show, Dalli Dalli, and disco. Until the mid-1970s, she took on minor acting roles. These included parts in Dem Täter auf der Spur and the 1974 NDR crime film Tatort: Kneipenbekanntschaft. The latter featured musician Udo Lindenberg and his band Panikorchester. Later in the decade, she attempted a singing career. She released the album Nach Sendeschluss and the single Fernsehmelodie, recorded with film composer Martin Böttcher. Her voice remained familiar to audiences even without visual presence. She voiced characters in several episodes of the audio drama series Die drei ???. In 1979, she recorded fairy tale audio plays for RCA Records. Some of these recordings were reissued on compact disc in 2005. Her professional tenure concluded in the 2000s when the NDR gradually discontinued its announcement service. The profession of television announcer no longer exists in the current format. Public reaction to her passing highlighted her impact on viewers. People lit memorial candles for her on the website hamburgertrauer.de. One user wrote that she had made life more beautiful for them as children. Affection for Vanhaiden had been evident prior to her death. In June, the West German Radio channel WDR4 posted birthday wishes for her on Facebook. That post gathered over 6,000 likes and numerous comments. One commenter described her as the television idol of their childhood. The ZDF revived the program announcement format in 2023 for a jubilee celebration. During that time, media coverage emphasized her delicate appearance and the way her glasses seemed to occupy the lower half of her face. The sources provide conflicting information regarding her exact age at death, with one outlet reporting 84 years while others cite 88 based on the official notice. The NDR confirmed the fatality without specifying a cause. Her legacy persists through the cultural memory of generations who grew up watching her introduce films and shows.