Franca Lehfeldt tackles a tricky subject: It’s about general criticism of men and biting women among women.
She appears in breeches. After her moderation job at the Berlin TV station “Welt”, Franca Lehfeldt, 33, likes to ride directly to Fritzi on horseback. On the way there, the wife of FDP leader Christian Lindner, 44, takes the time to talk to GALA about her book “Old Wise Men”. In it, she and her colleague Nena Brockhaus let protagonists have their say, whose views are often no longer up to date, i.e. are laughed at as “old white men”. Wrongly so, Lehfeldt thinks. One should listen more to men like actor Heiner Lauterbach or SPD politician Peer Steinbrück – in order to learn.
Franca Lehfeldt: She wishes for a new togetherness
GALA: You used the title of the book “Old Wise Men” to distinguish it from the “old white men” who have been criticized for some years as backward, condescending and power-hungry.
Franca Lehfeldt: It implies an enemy image and plays not only the genders but also generations against each other. But we have to move from being against each other to being together.
How did the people you spoke to impress you with?
It was the moments when the old wise men opened up. When a top business manager like Wolfgang Reitzle talks about mistakes and reflects that he would have liked to have spent more time with his family or my father (the Hamburg entrepreneur Claus-Holger Lehfeldt; Note d. editor) talks about his life as a “cuckoo child”, then those were moments in where these strong men seemed almost delicate and had water in their eyes. This honesty is what makes our book so special.
What values of these men should endure?
The commitment to the performance principle, to individualism and their sincerity. None of the men conduct debates in a black-and-white way of thinking – I think that’s particularly important when it comes to the “gender debate”.
They reject gender.
I see no emancipatory advantage in this. When I’m announced as a “guest,” I don’t feel empowered, equal, or addressed as a woman.
Back to the benefits of the wise old men.
They think of society as a great togetherness. Three of the people I spoke to quote Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This guiding principle should be brought more to the fore again.
Horses are a big part of their life
You spoke to your boss Stefan Aust about journalism and horses. Did he also advise you on the purchase of your horse Fritzi?
No, I didn’t call him until the x-rays were on the table, shortly before the purchase. Fritzi is a chance hit or a kiss of fate. I had reporter training, the venue was a private property with stables. Suddenly he was there and I immediately felt a connection to this horse. When I found out it was for sale, I did some self-examination.
Is horseback riding character building?
Absolutely. My parents put me on a Shetland pony before I could walk. Whatever the weather, they took me to the horse farm, and I’m very grateful for that. I got a pony when I was ten years old, it stood in the neighbors’ pasture. The idiosyncratic animal in combination with a consistent trainer was a tough school.
With Christian Lindner in the stables
You also passed on your enthusiasm for horses to your husband.
I arranged that, yes. (laughs) It’s really funny because horseback riding is our lowest common denominator from an athletic point of view. We tried jogging, but my husband didn’t like it. He likes to sit on his rowing machine and watch a series, that’s too boring for me. In tennis you have to pass the balls to each other, unfortunately that rarely worked. (laughs)
How did the hobby search go on?
Hiking would be an option, but in Berlin people tend to go for walks. At some point Christian said: “I’m not going to be a Ludger Beerbaum or Isabell Werth. But I could imagine that we would ride out together.” Since then he has been taking riding lessons, maybe it will work out in the summer.
Your husband also mucks out your horse’s box.
awesome, right? (laughs) Well, that came entirely from him and not from me, I have to say. We were both in the stable for Christmas. And then he said quite casually: “Then I’ll get the car now.” And I thought, that’s going to be something. But he did it brilliantly. There were a lot of women in the stable and there was a murmur of approval, a real “Wendy” moment. (laughs)
“Flirting has lost its lightness”
You write in the book: “The gentleman you once liked now wears handcuffs and a band-aid on his mouth.”
Flirt has lost its lightness. Heiner Bremer puts it nicely in our book: “A stylish flirt was a wonderful form of compliment. To a certain extent, of course. Women and men signaled to each other how far flirting goes and where it ends.” I would agree. Also meant are gestures like holding the door open for the woman or making a compliment. Of course, this is not in the context of sexual violence. Any form of abusive sexual activity is to be condemned. But a compliment is a wonderful thing.
The man may also be a gentleman and invite a woman to dinner.
Is your husband a gentleman?
Yes, I would say so. (smiles)
You write that you prefer to work with men, why?
This is autobiographical. My co-author Nena Brockhaus and I have often seen doors being slammed and shut by women in our careers. While men band together and build robber’s ladders, women often see a competitor.
Are you a feminist?
I would say I’m an individualist. I don’t care what gender, age or skin color someone is. It depends on which values she or he lives. You always have to look at the individual.
She talks about her desire to have children
Her father explains in the book that he would not bring children into the world today. How do you see it?
I agree with Stefan Aust: “Humanity would have died out long ago if parents had considered beforehand whether they wanted to have children or not.” On the contrary. It’s a chance to pass on values to your children for the world of tomorrow.
So you want kids?
Yes, we have that wish.