Sonja Zietlow: The Doyenne of German Television

Berlin, 27 January 2026 – For over three decades, Sonja Zietlow has been a constant and charismatic presence on German television screens. From her beginnings as a Lufthansa pilot to becoming the defining host of the nation’s most-watched reality show, her career is a testament to versatility and enduring appeal. As she prepares to helm the 19th season of the iconic Dschungelcamp, Germany Wire profiles the woman behind the microphone.

From Cockpit to Camera: An Unconventional Start

Born on 13 May 1968 in Bonn, Sonja Zietlow’s path to stardom was anything but conventional. After completing her Abitur, she worked as a holiday entertainer before embarking on a trailblazing career in aviation. She earned her commercial pilot’s licence and served as a First Officer on a Lufthansa Boeing 737 from 1991 to 1993. Her entry into television was serendipitous; after appearing as a contestant on the Sat.1 dating show Herz ist Trumpf in 1993, she was offered a presenting role. She took unpaid leave from the airline to try her hand at television—a decision from which she never looked back.

Her early TV years were spent in children’s and youth programming, moderating shows like Bim Bam Bino and the interactive gameshow Hugo on Kabel Eins. Her big break came in 1997 with her eponymous daily talk show Sonja on Sat.1, which she hosted until 2001, cementing her place in the competitive German talk show landscape.

Rise to Fame & Defining Formats

Zietlow’s move to RTL in the early 2000s marked the beginning of her most successful period. She hosted a string of popular formats including the quiz show Der Schwächste fliegt! (the German Weakest Link), Fear Factor, and Teufels Küche (the German Hell’s Kitchen). She also became synonymous with the long-running chart countdown shows Die 10 … and Die 25 ….

However, it is the reality juggernaut Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! (the German adaptation of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!) that has made her a household name. She has moderated the show since its inception in 2004, initially alongside comedian Dirk Bach until his death in 2012, then with Daniel Hartwich, and since 2023 with Jan Köppen. For her work on the show, she and Hartwich received the Deutscher Comedypreis in 2013.

Personal Life, Philanthropy, and Controversy

Sonja Zietlow has been married to television author Jens Oliver Haas since November 2002; he writes many of her moderation texts. The couple lives near Munich. An avid animal lover, Zietlow is a passionate dog owner, Western rider, and golfer (with a handicap as low as 4.8). Her commitment to animal welfare is profound; she is a co-founder and patron of the non-profit association Beschützerinstinkte e.V., which supports animal-assisted therapy and rescues dogs in need.

Her life has not been without public challenges. In 2020, she faced significant criticism and was labelled a “conspiracy theorist” for Facebook posts questioning aspects of the official Covid-19 narrative, leading her to delete her profile. Furthermore, a tenant at a property she owned in the Vulkaneifel was convicted in 2011 for animal cruelty after dozens of dogs were found neglected, an incident that left Zietlow “devastated”.

Recent Work and Current Projects in 2026

Zietlow remains one of German television’s busiest presenters. Since 2023, she has moderated the successful RTL reality-mystery format Die Verräter – Vertraue Niemandem!, for which she recently won a Deutscher Fernsehpreis. She also hosts the knowledge quiz Wunder unserer Erde – Das große GEO Quiz with Dirk Steffens.

Newer additions to her portfolio include the quiz show Schlauer als Alle. Schlägst du Deutschland? (RTL, since 2025) and Hensslers Dreamteam on VOX (since 2025). She is also a frequent guest on panel shows, with an appearance on Wer weiß denn sowas? scheduled for 2026.

As the 19th season of Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus! launches, Zietlow has been vocal about her occasional frustration with the artificial drama some contestants create, telling DWDL, “It’s no secret what I think of reality personalities who do anything for airtime… That sometimes annoys me.” She has contrasted this with the “decent” interaction she observes on Die Verräter. The 2026 Dschungelcamp season has already sparked discussion due to the inclusion of controversial musician Gil Ofarim, a topic on which Zietlow and co-host Jan Köppen have offered candid assessments.

Key Facts: Sonja Zietlow

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Sonja Zietlow do before television?

Before her television career, Sonja Zietlow was a commercial pilot. She trained at the Lufthansa Flight Training School and worked as a First Officer for the airline, flying Boeing 737 aircraft from 1991 to 1993.

Who is Sonja Zietlow’s husband?

She is married to Jens Oliver Haas, a television author and scriptwriter. They wed in November 2002. Haas frequently writes the moderation texts for her shows. This is her second marriage; she was previously briefly married to André Hegger.

Is Sonja Zietlow considered highly intelligent?

Yes, an IQ of 132 is frequently attributed to her in media reports, which places her in the “highly gifted” range. This high intelligence is often cited alongside her quick wit and sharp presenting style.

What happened with her Facebook profile?

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Zietlow posted content that questioned certain aspects of the pandemic response. This led to significant backlash, with some users accusing her of spreading conspiracy theories. In response to the hostile environment and personal attacks, she chose to delete her Facebook profile, stating she was “turning her back on this digital slap-fest for the time being.”