Franz Joseph Strauss

He never achieved his dream of becoming chancellor.
At his rallies, Strauß is defamed by parts of the population as a Nazi and warmonger.
Outwardly, he appears unmoved, but at home he breaks down in tears.
For the first time, Monika Hohlmeier tells of her father's pain at the furious attacks of his opponents.
She and her brother Franz Georg Strauß provide a deep and intimate insight into the inner life of their father, who was so very different in private from the public Strauß.
The early private footage also shows a Strauss that has never been seen before: a loving, attentive family man.

But his family and career are thrown into crisis by an affair.
The 53-year-old finance minister has fallen in love with a 17-year-old high school graduate and wants to start a new life with her.
His party colleagues are horrified.
For the first time, Theo Waigel talks about how the CSU dealt with the affair and what consequences a break-up with Marianne would have had for Strauß' career.

The documentary by Sebastian Dehnhardt and Manfred Oldenburg illuminates the life of the politician from different perspectives and shows a side of Franz Joseph Strauß that has remained hidden from the public until now.

First broadcast: Tuesday, October 7, 2008, 8:15 p.m., ZDF.