Martina Münch-Nicolaidis dead: great sadness in Munich – "Life can be so unfair"

Created: 06/30/2022, 09:41 am

By: Doris Richter

Martina Münch-Nicolaidis at the laying of the foundation stone of the Star House on Nockherberg on May 17th, 2021.

© Marcus sleep

Martina Münch-Nicolaidis, who set up a foundation for mourners, has died.

Her work has inspired many, and professional soccer player Thomas Müller also supports the foundation.

Munich - With her "Nicolaidis YoungWings Foundation" she has given new hope to countless grieving men, women and children.

She has received several awards for her great commitment, including the Bavarian Order of Merit.

Friends and companions are now mourning Martina Münch-Nicolaidis, who died at the age of 54.

Creating a place of power for grieving young people, a place of refuge in the middle of the city - that's what Martina Münch-Nicolaidis dreamed of when she founded an association for young widowed mothers and fathers in 1999.

The native of Munich fought for a long time to realize her vision.

With success: Your "Star House" is currently taking shape on the old Paulaner site on the Nockherberg.

She was no longer able to experience and celebrate its completion: the Munich native died on Sunday surrounded by her family after a serious illness.

Munich: Münch-Nicolaidis found her calling through her own stroke of fate

Through a stroke of fate, she had found her calling.

In 1997 her husband died in a car accident.

Her daughter had just been born then.

At the age of 29, Martina Münch-Nicolaidis suddenly found herself a widow.

That "catapulted me completely out of life," she once said.

She sought help - and soon realized that there were few opportunities for exchange, especially for young mourners.

She wanted to change that.

Helping others who were in a similar situation, struggling with the same problems.

In 1999 she founded the "Nicolaidis Hilfe eV", organized the first self-help groups for young widows.

The demand was enormous.

They received inquiries from all over Germany.

And the woman from Munich did what she could do best: she rolled up her sleeves and looked for comrades-in-arms.

With her stirring, charismatic nature, she managed to convince many of the good cause over the years.

She once said of herself: "I like to bite down." Giving up was never an option.

In 2014, her association became the Nicolaidis YoungWings Foundation with the help of long-term supporters.

In addition to the groups, there has long been an extensive range of offers for affected children aged 3 to 27, from online advice to help with choosing a career and leisure groups.

She herself found new happiness in 2003 and a year later married her Michael, who became a father to her daughter Lisa.

FC Bayern professional Thomas Müller also supports the project

As a busy and tireless networker, Martina Münch-Nicolaidis convinced experts, politicians and celebrities from all over Germany of her work.

Many become important supporters, such as FC Bayern professional Thomas Müller, who has supported the foundation as an ambassador for more than ten years.

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Or the entrepreneur Alexandra Schörghuber, who, with a generous donation, enabled the purchase of a property on the old Paulaner site, where Martina Münch-Nicolaidis' heart project is being created: the "Star House" - a retreat for young widows and their children, a place to draw strength at around 1400 square meters.

And at the same time new headquarters of the foundation.

In May 2021 she celebrated the laying of the foundation stone with Mayor Dieter Reiter, and everything should be finished in 2023.

"Life can be so unfair" - friends mourn the death of the Munich native

"We are deeply saddened by the death of a special person who inspired us and so many others and shaped and enriched all of our lives," the foundation's website said.

They want to continue the life's work of Münch-Nicolaidis in their spirit.

In the condolence book, which was set up on the foundation's website, around 50 entries were made within a short period of time.

They reflect the image of a strong, empathetic, energetic and kind-hearted person.

Actor Timothy Peach mourns the death of his "heart friend and heroine" as does Alexandra Schörghuber, who writes about her friend: "With your never-ending energy, your unshakable optimism and your great warmth, you touched, inspired and excited people." But how so Aptly, another entry says: "Life can be so unfair!"