Axel Springer is a German media group founded in 1946 by Axel Cäsar Springer. Its boss is Mathias Döpfner, who aims to make it the leading digital media company of the free world. The group's flagship properties include Bild, Germany's biggest tabloid, and Die Welt, a broadsheet daily. Its American outlets include Politico and Business Insider.
Staff of Bild and Die Welt must sign up to "essentials", the company's credo, which includes support for Israel's right to exist and the "fundamental" alliance between America and Europe.
In early 2026 Springer outbid the Daily Mail and General Trust with an all-cash offer of £575m ($770m) to acquire the 170-year-old Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, pending regulatory approval. Mr Döpfner had first tried to buy the Telegraph in 2004, calling it the "North Star" of the group's founder. The deal will double the number of paid subscribers across Springer's media brands, adding the Telegraph's 1.1m. Mr Döpfner's goal is to double the value of Axel Springer over five years.
For perfect happiness, remember two things: (1) Be content with what you've got. (2) Be sure you've got plenty.