Gunter Grass

Date of Birth: October 16, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 13, 2015

Biography

Günter Wilhelm Grass was a German novelist, poet, playwright, and illustrator who is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century. Born in the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland), Grass came of age during the tumultuous events of World War II, which greatly influenced his later work. He gained international fame with his first novel, “The Tin Drum” (1959), which was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. Grass’s work often delved into Germany’s Nazi past and its aftermath, earning him both acclaim and controversy. In 1999, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “frolicsome black fables [that] portray the forgotten face of history.” Grass was also politically active, often using his voice to comment on social and political issues. He passed away in Lübeck, Germany, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary and artistic achievements.

5 Interesting Facts about Gunter Grass

1. Günter Grass was a member of the Waffen-SS during World War II, a fact he revealed only in 2006, causing significant controversy.

2. “The Tin Drum” is considered a seminal work in European literature and was part of his Danzig Trilogy, which also includes “Cat and Mouse” and “Dog Years.”

3. Grass was not only a writer but also an accomplished visual artist, creating illustrations for many of his own books.

4. He was a vocal critic of the reunification of Germany, fearing it would lead to a resurgence of nationalism.

5. In addition to his Nobel Prize, Grass received numerous other honors, including the Georg Büchner Prize in 1965 and the Prince of Asturias Award in 1999.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gunter Grass

1. “Art is so wonderfully irrational, exuberantly pointless, but necessary all the same.”

2. “The job of a citizen is to keep his mouth open.”

3. “Even bad books are books and therefore sacred.”

4. “The first job of a writer is to be honest.”

5. “Writers have to be observant. Every nuance, every inflection in a voice, the quality of the air, even the sound of a streetcar can be the beginning of a story.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Günter Grass’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Günter Grass had six children. He had four children with his first wife, Anna Schwarz: Franz, Raoul, Bruno, and Laura. He also had two other children from different relationships: Helene and Nele.