This world-renowned artist and fashion designer witnessed his mother’s death and vowed never to let her memory fade.
Since then, he has reinvented himself multiple times – fulfilling his promise with extraordinary flair.
In the world of fashion, there are many colorful personalities, but few are as extravagant as Harald Glööckler. While his name might not be widely known, his striking face, often heavily made-up and adorned with dramatic flair, is often seen in the tabloids.
But the road to success and living in the limelight has been a long one — Harald Glööckler’s journey has been shaped by hard work and a challenging childhood.
Traumatic upbringing
Every child deserves a safe and loving upbringing, but that was far from the reality for Harald Glööckler as he grew up in southern Germany. His father was both violent and an alcoholic — a devastating combination that left a deep mark on his childhood.
”A zombie movie is more beautiful than my childhood,” he told Bild in 2009.
As if having a cruel and abusive father wasn’t enough, young Harald also had to endure the heartbreak of losing his mother under tragic circumstances. When Glööckler was just 13 years old, his mother died after a mysterious fall down the stairs, which authorities ruled as an accident.
But according to Harald, there was more to the story. “When I was 13, I watched my father kill my mother,” he has revealed, claiming that his father pushed her down the stairs. “My childhood ended that day.”
From that moment on, Harald never spoke to his father again —not a single word— until his father passed away 13 years later, in 1992.
Tragically, Harald was also sexually assaulted by a family friend during a trip when he was just six years old. Because of his unstable home life, he never spoke about it.
“It took me many years to understand that it wasn’t my fault,” he said.
Harald Glööckler young
Despite an incredibly difficult upbringing, Harald eventually managed to channel his trauma into something positive. If it hadn’t been for his father’s violence, he might never have become one of the world’s most renowned designers.
Witnessing his mother suffer at the hands of his father made him determined to stand up for women in any way he could.
“When I was six years old, I decided that I never wanted to see women cry again. I just wanted to make every woman feel beautiful.”
He started as an apprentice, then worked as a salesperson at a fashion house. Eventually, he gained enough experience and confidence to open his own store.
In 1987, at the age of 22, Harald launched his first boutique, Jeans Garden, on one of the busiest streets in the bustling city of Stuttgart. He ran the store alongside his manager and life partner, Dieter Schroth, a haberdasher.
Three years later, Glööckler founded his most famous clothing brand, Pompöös. His success was boosted by celebrity clients like Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte Nielsen, and Chaka Khan.
Since opening his own boutique, Glööckler has become a prominent figure in the fashion world. Known for his extravagant clothing and appearances in teleshopping, he designs a range of products — including fashion, cosmetics, and bags — that are sold in over 80 countries.
He is, of course, most famous in Germany but has also garnered significant international attention. These days, he paints and sells his artwork, and he has even designed his own jewelry collection. In recent years, he has been a permanent judge on Germany’s Let’s Dance. He has also ventured into music and starred in the documentary Harald Glööckler: Prince of Fashion.
”My success happened because I’m very authentic — people love that. And at the end, I’m a very clever businessman,” Glööckler told Fashion Week.
Harald Glööckler partner
Harald Glööckler, 59, and Dieter Schroth, 75, have been a couple for over 30 years. The pair entered into a registered partnership in 2015. Before they fell in love, Dieter was married to a woman and had two daughters with her. The children later lived with Glööckler and Schroth, and now they have grandchildren.
According to the couple, they lead a very traditional life. They meet with friends, enjoy coffee, have dinners, and so on. However, Dieter Schroth has faced some health issues over the years, but Harald Glööckler has always been supportive and by his side.
”I handle everything at home — cooking, shopping, taking care of the dog,” Glööckler told Bild.
Glööckler himself has faced few health issues — except for a serious incident in 2018 when he suffered anaphylactic shock. This typically occurs after insect bites, medication, or certain foods. The fashion star was rushed to the hospital and received emergency care.
“My face kept swelling, and I couldn’t breathe more and more. I panicked and had to go to the hospital,” Glööckler told Bild.
Clearly, he’s allergic to something, but neither Glööckler nor his doctors know what. Fortunately, Glööckler was discharged from the hospital fairly quickly. He was in good spirits when he spoke with reporters afterward, quipping, “I’ve always wished for higher cheekbones, but not quite like this.”
Plastic surgery
Looking at 65-year-old Harald Glööckler, it’s quite evident that he’s used cosmetic procedures to keep wrinkles at bay. The German designer is open about having undergone numerous surgeries to reshape his face according to his own vision.
“Plastic surgery is neither good or bad. It’s necessary,” he told Fashion Weekly.
Some people have heavily criticised Harald Glööckler for his tacky appearance. His bold use of glitter, extravagant accessories, and the trademark crown motif have not always been well-received. Despite the backlash, Glööckler remains unapologetically true to his distinctive style.
“Someone else said I look like the son of Liza Minnelli and David Gest. The point is, it doesn’t matter what people write about you in the blogs, the important thing is that you are recognized. The only bad thing is to be boring,” he says.
$660,000 on cosmetic surgery
Harald Glööckler spares no expense when it comes to sculpting his body. Recently, he underwent breast surgery to enhance his upper body shape.
According to an interview with RTL, the designer has invested $660,000 in various cosmetic procedures.
”Ageing is an imposition. I have injections, I go to the hairdresser. It’s all an investment in my brand,” the 59-year-old says.
In June, Harald Glööckler shocked some of his Instagram followers by posting a video showing dozens of pink cannulas stuck in his cheeks.
”This is not new facial jewelry or anything else; this is a thread lift,” Glööckler explains in the clip.
Once again, the 59-year-old faced some criticism, with several of his followers expressing concern about the numerous injections and cosmetic procedures.
Harald Glööckler net worth
Regardless of opinions about his appearance, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Harald Glööckler has truly added color to the world during his time on earth.
He may be a bit controversial, but he has a big heart and has been involved in many admirable causes over the years. As a dazzling public figure who loves to stand out, he also values privacy and enjoys a consistent and calm personal life.
Considering his tough start, it’s impressive how he has navigated difficulties and built both a fortune and a purpose in life. He’s not only a creative genius, but is a disciplined and shrewd businessman who revolutionized TV sales in Germany. According to Vermögen Magazin, his net worth is 10 million euros.
You can even book the glamour star for 25,000 euros a day. As he often points out, the money didn’t come easily — it was earned through a lot of hard work.