Uli Hoeness, honorary president of FC Bayern Munich, has given a candid interview reflecting on the decade since his release from prison. The legendary sports executive, once convicted for tax fraud, described his time in isolation as a fundamental stage of his life. He emphasized that his prison stay taught him humility and redefined his approach to social responsibility and family values.

A Lesson in Humility in Isolation

The honorary president of FC Bayern emphasizes that his stay in prison taught him humility and changed his hierarchy of life values.

Details of Leaving Prison

Hoeness revealed that he left prison secretly on February 29, 2016 just after midnight, surprising the journalists waiting for him.

Relationships with Fellow Inmates

The executive recalled meetings with murderers and other convicts, which helped him understand difficult human stories and gain perspective.

It has been exactly ten years since Uli Hoeness, one of the most influential figures in the history of German football, left the walls of Landsberg Prison. On this anniversary, the now 74-year-old executive has given a series of personal interviews, engaging in deep introspection about his period of isolation. Hoeness admitted that while it was an extremely difficult time, especially for his immediate family, it became a catalyst for inner transformation. According to his account, this experience permanently changed his worldview, instilling in him a profound sense of humility and a stronger feeling of social responsibility. Particularly moving are his memories of the last night spent in his cell. Hoeness revealed that, thanks to the favor of the prison administration, he managed to avoid a media siege by leaving the facility just after midnight on February 29, 2016, while gathered journalists expected him only at noon. The honorary president of FC Bayern also recalled conversations with fellow inmates, including those convicted of the most serious crimes, which helped him gain perspective on his own problems. He claims these encounters made him aware of how diverse and often tragic human fates can be. Uli Hoeness was sentenced in 2014 to three and a half years in prison for evading taxes amounting to nearly 28.5 million euros. This trial was one of the most high-profile events in German public life in recent decades, exposing the dark side of big sports finances. Today, Uli Hoeness remains an active observer of sports and social life, but his public appearances have taken on a more reflective character. He emphasizes that prison was not just a punishment but a significant element of his biography that allowed him to reassess his priorities. The executive noted that he now tries to look at many things differently than before 2014, focusing more on helping others and nurturing relationships with loved ones, which survived the toughest test during his incarceration. „It was an important stage in my life. During that time, I learned humility and took on social responsibility, looking at many things from a completely different perspective.” — Uli Hoeness

Mentioned People

  • Uli Hoeness — Honorary president of FC Bayern Munich, who reflects on his served sentence for tax fraud.