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Rex Gildo (formerly Alexander Gildo, born Ludwig Franz Hirtreiter; 2 July 1936 – 26 October 1999) was a German singer of Schlager ballads who reached the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, selling over 25 million records and starring in film and television roles.
Gildo was born Ludwig Franz Hirtreiter in Straubing, Bavaria; in the mid-1950s, he adopted the stage name Alexander Gildo, later shortening it to Rex Gildo. He claimed for many years to have been a member of the Regensburger Domspatzen choir before attending acting school; however, a documentary on German television a decade after his death in 2009 revealed that in fact he had worked in a decorating apprenticeship before he met Fred Miekley, who would become his manager/longtime companion. [1]
Gildo's first performance was with the Munich Kammerspiele theatre group in 1956, but he quickly moved into television and film, as well as performing as a singer, duetting with Danish singer Gitte Haenning as "Gitte & Rex". His most popular songs, such as Speedy Gonzales (1962), Goodbye Susanna (1965) and Fiesta Mexicana (1972), were sung during the 1960s and 1970s in Germany. His music and films sold well there but less so abroad. He also starred in his own television program, Gestatten – Rex Gildo. [2]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Gildo's popularity decreased. [3] His appearances were mainly at folk festivals, shopping centres and other similar venues; he was also reported to have problems with alcoholism. [4] [5] His final performance, on the day of his suicide attempt, was in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt.
In 1974, Gildo married his cousin Marion Ohlsen in a lavender marriage. The couple had no children and separated in 1990. After his death, it was reported that he was gay and had a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary, with whom he lived for 7 years.[ citation needed ]
Gildo died in 1999, aged 63, having spent three days in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering from psychological problems. [6]
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