Who Is Claas Relotius? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Claas Relotius, born on November 15, 1985, is a German former journalist known for his impactful yet controversial journalistic career. He rose to prominence for his gripping stories, but in recent years has faced scrutiny for journalistic fraud that has significantly affected his reputation. As of 2025, Claas is 39 years old. His complex story stands as a cautionary tale for the world of journalism, making him a subject of ongoing interest in media circles.
| Occupation | Fraudsters |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 15, 1985 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | Hamburg, West Germany |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Germany |
Popularity
Claas Relotius's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though specific figures might vary, Claas Relotius is reported to stand approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm) and has an average build. As for weight and other measurements, there is limited publicly available data, but it is believed he maintains an average physique.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
When it comes to his personal life, Relotius has largely kept his family and relationships private. As of 2025, there are no public records confirming any current relationships, whether with a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, or husband. This reflects his preference for maintaining a low profile following his departure from journalism.
In 2017, he became a staff journalist for Der Spiegel, which had published almost 60 articles by Relotius since 2011. Relotius received several awards for his reporting, including the Deutscher Reporterpreis on four occasions, most recently in 2018.
The award given by Reporterpreis to Relotius in 2018 was for "Best Reportage", delivered in Berlin in early December, for a story of "unprecedented lightness, density and relevance, which never leaves open the sources on which it is based".
He was the German-language CNN "Journalist of the Year" in 2014 for a story written for the Swiss magazine Reportagen and won the European Press Prize in 2017.
Reporting for which he was nominated or won prizes include articles about Iraqi children kidnapped by the Islamic State, a Guantánamo Bay inmate, and Syrian orphans from Aleppo who ended up as child slaves in Turkey.
In 2017, Der Spiegel sent Relotius to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, for three weeks to write an article about Donald Trump supporters "to give readers better insight into Americans". Many details in Relotius's articles, including nearly everything in the Fergus Falls story, were found to be made up.
Relotius also faked interviews with the parents of NFL footballer Colin Kaepernick.
Net Worth and Salary
Claas Relotius’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 as of 2025. His income was once bolstered by his articles in prominent publications, but following his resignation due to fraudulent practices, his earnings have seen a drastic decline. The controversial nature of his past work has made it difficult for him to regain a foothold in the industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Relotius began his journalism journey at a young age, quickly gaining attention for his narrative skills. However, his career took a significant downturn after the revelation of his fabrication of sources and stories. Since the scandal, Claas has not been publicly associated with any major business ventures or investments. The media landscape remains wary of his return, which has arguably limited his opportunities to engage in new projects.
He studied political and cultural studies at the University of Bremen, graduating with a Bachelor's degree. In 2008 he was employed as an intern at Die Tageszeitung ("taz") in Hamburg, and from 2009 to 2011 completed a Master's degree at the Hamburg Media School.
During 2013 he worked as a freelance journalist in Cuba, supported by a scholarship from the Heinz Kühn Foundation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Social Network
In terms of social media presence, Claas Relotius has largely refrained from public engagement. Following the fallout from his journalistic fraud, he has distanced himself from social platforms that might attract scrutiny or raise further questions about his conduct. This absence may reflect a desire to avoid public commentary and criticism.
About a year earlier, two residents of Fergus Falls, Minnesota – Michele Anderson and Jake Krohn – suspected that Relotius' portrayal of their hometown was inaccurate. For example, Relotius lied about seeing a hand-painted welcome sign by the city limits that read: "Mexicans Keep Out".
They investigated on their own when efforts to contact Der Spiegel on Twitter came to nothing. They published their findings in a blog post on Medium, detailing 11 of Relotius' most egregious falsehoods. As Anderson put it, "In 7,300 words he really only got our town's population and average annual temperature correct".
Education
Claas Relotius graduated from the University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where he majored in journalism. His educational background provided him with a strong foundation in storytelling and reporting, although his later actions raised debates about ethics in journalism.
