A heart for children
Helene Fischer does not steal the show from the children
"A heart for children" gala 2020: Giovanni Zarrella, Helene Fischer, Johannes B. Kerner and Jana Ina Zarrella (from left) reveal the final sum of 25,977,285 euros
© obs / A heart for children / Ralf Günther
Brilliant achievement! Superstar Helene Fischer did not outshine the record edition of the donation gala "A Heart for Children" in her glittery dress.
Superstar Helene Fischer (36, "Helene Fischer Show – My Most Beautiful Moments") was the star guest of the new edition of the children's aid gala "A Heart for Children", which was broadcast live on ZDF on December 5th. And although all eyes were on the singer, she put herself completely at the service of the cause and fitted seamlessly into the row of more than 80 prominent telephone operators who noted the donations made by the callers.
Those who only tuned in because of the hit queen were not disappointed: Right at the opening of the record edition, she was on stage with some other artists who contributed music during the program, including birthday boy Michael Patrick Kelly (43), on stage behind host Johannes B. Kerner (55). With the necessary Corona distance right next to Fischer: Ex-partner Florian Silbereisen (39). They both smiled briefly, that was it. Together with Thomas Anders (57), Silbereisen was the first show act of the evening. After that, they sat on the phones and accepted donations.
She sang, collected and cried
Helene Fischer – in a bright glitter dress – was the only artist to perform two songs during the show, one of them with Andrea Bocelli (62). After the first, she sat on the phone too. "I think someone at the other end will faint, Helene Fischer picked up the phone," commented Kerner on the scene. A little later there was a real surprise for the singer. A once sick girl, whom she met a few years ago on the show, suddenly came to her on the phone to show how well she is now. Fischer's eyes also got wet.
Whether or not the children's fates presented were probably not dry eyes at this show. And the prominent auditorium also had tears in their eyes when, for example, TV doctor Johannes Wimmer (37, "Medicine – finally understandable") spoke in deep sadness about the death of his nine-month-old daughter Maximilia on November 21st. He and his family had lovingly accompanied the girl in her fight against a brain tumor. His appeal to others affected: "Get help! Ask for help!"
The golden heart for Wladimir Klitschko
The Golden Heart award this year went to the former boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko (44) for the great commitment with which he and his brother Vitali (49) under the motto "Every child should learn that it is itself the moving force his life is "helping all over the world. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (40) gave the laudatory speech: "Wladimir Klitschko, you really have a big heart for children – a golden heart!"
The record amount
The "Ein Herz für Kinder" gala was broadcast on television for the 20th time and, despite the difficult economic situation, there was a new record for donations. Moderator Kerner revealed the total with star guest Fischer as well as Jana Ina (43) and Giovanni Zarella (42). A total of 25,977,285 euros was collected – in the previous year it was 18,097,586 euros.
"It is used to build schools and kindergartens, orphanages and sports fields, finance life-saving operations, bring relief supplies to disaster areas, support child cancer research and much more," says the organization that was founded in 1978 by publisher Axel Springer (1912-1985) and the Bild- Newspaper was launched. The donation phone can be reached until December 11th.
Reunion with Helene Fischer
There is already a reunion with Helene Fischer this Sunday evening in the annual review TV show "Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen" (RTL). And on Christmas Day there will be a kind of best-of of the traditional "Helene Fischer Show" with the title "My most beautiful moments" on ZDF due to the Corona. In it, the artist presents the highlights of the past nine shows.