Thomas Hoepker, the distinguished German photographer and former president of Magnum Photos, passed away on July 10th in Santiago at 88, following a years-long battle with Alzheimer’s. Cristina de Middel, the current president of Magnum Photos, confirmed his death.
“A true visionary, Thomas’s contributions extended beyond his remarkable, playful, poignant photographs,” de Middel said in a statement. “His legacy within the Magnum community is one of inspiration, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence combined with kindness and generosity….Thomas Hoepker’s work will continue to inspire and educate, reminding us of the power of photography to shape our understanding of the world.”
Born in Munich in 1936, Hoepker was gifted his first camera by his grandfather at age 14. He studied art history and archaeology in Göttingen, Germany from 1956 to 1959 before embarking on a career as a photojournalist. He would work for magazines such as Münchner Illustrierte and Kristall throughout the early 1960s.
In 1964, the photographer began working with the German magazine Stern, where he eventually became an art director. The same year, Magnum Photos—the cooperative organization founded by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and others—began distributing Hoepker’s photography. By 1989, he became a full member of the organization and eventually served as its president from 2003 to 2006.
Hoepker’s work covered a broad spectrum of subjects, including political events such as life outside the Berlin Wall and cultural figures like Muhammad Ali. He is perhaps best remembered for his photo View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11 (2001), which captured a group of young adults who appear to be relaxing with the burning Twin Towers in the background. The image, not published until five years after it was taken, became a subject of long-lasting discourse regarding the role of photography in tragedy.
In his later years, Hoepker was consumed with documentary filmmaking, which he worked on with his wife, Christine Kuchen. His last major project, Dear Memories, explored his life and career, and was filmed following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2020. The documentary, along with his final book, The Way It Was, was released in 2022.
