Arno Dübel passed away after a serious illness at the UKE. He became known as Germany's most famous unemployed man. Dübel made himself known through TV appearances.
Hamburg – Arno Dübel, known as "Germany's most famous unemployed" has died after a serious illness at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, reports the Hamburger Morgenpost. Arno Dübel actually planned to work again.
Arno Dübel dies after serious illness at Hamburg University Hospital
Arno Dübel, born on 13 January 1956 in Bornum, is a controversial figure. He became known for his 46 years of unemployed life and thus as the longest German citizen living at the expense of the state.
After abandoning an apprenticeship as a painter in 1976, his unfinished training and an alleged tuberculosis infection meant that he was considered difficult to place and lived on social welfare and unemployment benefit II.
Arno Dübel became known in Germany as the cheekiest unemployed person (archive photo) © Lars Berg/Imago
Who was Arno Dübel?
Dübel made no secret of his situation and repeatedly pretended to the media that he was a satisfied unemployed person. This led to conflicts with the employment offices and eventually to reduced benefits. A brief foray into the music industry in 2010 did not bring the hoped-for success. After various incidents, including problems with a music producer and a forced eviction of his apartment, Dübel was considered missing from 2011. Despite his controversial lifestyle and decisions, Arno Dübel remains a well-known figure in Germany.
Since 2012, Arno Dübel is said to have lived in an old people's home in Hamburg-Rahlstedt. After a serious illness, Dübel died at the UKE.