Berlin – Former German long jumper Susen Tiedtke, a silver and bronze medalist at the IAAF World Indoor Championships and a fifth-place finisher at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has publicly shared the heartbreaking story of her son Max’s unexpected death. Max passed away at the age of 17 on March 4, 2025, due to an undetected heart inflammation, a loss that sent Tiedtke into a profound period of grief and questioning.
The tragedy unfolded when a friend of Max’s contacted Tiedtke, concerned that he wasn’t answering his phone. Upon finding him in his bedroom, she discovered he had passed away in his sleep. “And then I went to him, and he was already stiff and blue,” Tiedtke recounted in a recent interview with RTL, as reported by Bild. “It suddenly rips your entire life away from you. It’s your own flesh and blood, and then he’s gone.”
The loss of her son plunged Tiedtke into a deep emotional void. For over a month, she described feeling paralyzed by grief, barely able to function. “The hardest thing for me was finding a motivation to live again. Why should I still live if my son is dead?” she shared, adding that she spent weeks in a state of near-unconsciousness on her sofa, struggling to find direction.
Tiedtke, 57, found a measure of solace in her belief that Max’s spirit lives on. “It gives you a little comfort when you know he isn’t completely gone,” she explained. “Because if you don’t believe that, it’s very difficult to cope with the death of a son.” Max was the younger child of Tiedtke and her ex-husband, former tennis player Hendrik Dreekmann, with whom she was married from 2005 to 2008. The couple too have a 20-year-ancient daughter.
Despite the immense pain, Tiedtke is determined to move forward. A trained naturopath, she is now focused on rebuilding her life and finding a new purpose. “I haven’t worked for a year and have lived off my savings. Now I need to find my new path,” she stated. She hopes that by openly sharing her experience, she can offer support and encouragement to others facing similar losses, letting them know they are not alone.
Tiedtke’s athletic career was marked by significant achievements. She represented Germany in the long jump at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, finishing eighth, and again at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she placed fifth. Her success also included a silver medal at the 1993 World Indoor Championships in Toronto and a bronze medal at the 1995 World Indoor Championships in Barcelona. Even though, her career was also marred by a two-year ban following a positive test for Oral-Turinabol after her 1995 World Indoor Championships win, as noted in her Wikipedia entry. Susen Tiedtke’s Wikipedia page details her athletic accomplishments and the doping suspension.
Looking back on her athletic journey, Tiedtke reflected on the valuable lessons she learned through sport. “Through sport, I experienced so much and was able to learn so much. It shaped my life. If you have a goal, you give everything for it.” This dedication and resilience, honed through years of athletic competition, are now being applied to navigating the unimaginable grief of losing a child.
Tiedtke’s story is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of a mother’s love. Her willingness to share her pain and her journey toward healing offers a beacon of hope to others grappling with loss. The circumstances surrounding Max’s death – an undetected heart inflammation – also underscore the importance of regular medical checkups, particularly for young athletes.
As Tiedtke continues to rebuild her life, she carries the memory of her son with her, finding strength in her belief that his spirit remains. Her openness and vulnerability serve as a testament to the human capacity for resilience in the face of profound sorrow.
There is currently no further information available regarding Tiedtke’s future plans or any memorial events planned in Max’s honor. Updates will be provided as they become available.
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