Derk Sauer, the media magnate and founder of "Ведомостей", has passed away.
Dirk Sauer, a renowned Dutch journalist and media entrepreneur, passed away on July 31, 2025, at the age of 72, following injuries sustained in a sailing boat accident in Greece a month prior. Sauer was initially treated in Athens and later in one of Amsterdam's clinics, but unfortunately, he could not recover from the accident's consequences.
Sauer was best known for his significant contributions to independent media in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. He founded the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti and the English-language daily The Moscow Times. His publishing house, Independent Media, also published Russian-language versions of magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Playboy, Esquire, and Harper's Bazaar.
Sauer's career was marked by his unique blend of idealism and independent thinking. He moved to Moscow in 1989 and played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape of the city. In addition to his work with The Moscow Times and Vedomosti, Sauer founded the publishing house Nieuw Amsterdam and was involved in launching the TV channel Het Gesprek, which focused on interviews and debates. He also acquired and guided the editorial direction at NRC Handelsblad and nrc.next in the Netherlands.
The publication described Sauer as a true champion of press freedom. However, his work faced challenges, as evidenced by the Russian government's recognition of The Moscow Times as undesirable. Despite this, Sauer's impact on the media industry will be felt for years to come.
[1] [Source for more information about Sauer's career in the Netherlands] [2] [Source for more information about Sauer's death and the sailing boat accident]
- Dirk Sauer, besides his significant contributions to independent media in Russia, also had a prosperous career in business and entrepreneurship in the Netherlands, where he founded publishing houses like Nieuw Amsterdam and worked extensively with newspapers such as NRC Handelsblad and nrc.next.
- Throughout his illustrious career, Dirk Sauer showcased his knack for finance, having ventured into entrepreneurship and being involved in various business domains, including the publishing industry, demonstrating his ability to navigate the complexities of the market.
