Jürgen Ponto
Jürgen Ponto | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 17, 1923 Bad Nauheim, Germany |
| Died | July 30, 1977 (aged 53) Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, banker |
| Known for | Chairman of Dresdner Bank board (1969–1977) |
Jürgen Ponto (born 17 December 1923 in Bad Nauheim – died 30 July 1977 in Frankfurt am Main) was a prominent German lawyer and banker who held the position of chairman on the Dresdner Bank board from 1969 until his assassination. He was a key figure within Germany’s financial industry prior to being killed by members of the Red Army Faction (RAF) during the events known as the German Autumn. Notably, actor Erich Ponto was his uncle.
Death
On 30 July 1977, Ponto and his wife Ignes were at their villa in Oberursel, preparing for an upcoming trip to Rio de Janeiro. They were expecting a visit from Susanne Albrecht, daughter of a family acquaintance, unaware that she had been operating covertly as an RAF member for several weeks. Albrecht arrived around 17:10 accompanied by two other RAF operatives, Brigitte Mohnhaupt and Christian Klar. Upon entering the residence, Albrecht gave Ignes red roses before leading them into the living room where Ignes left Ponto alone with the visitors.
Shortly thereafter, loud voices and gunfire were heard. It is believed the group intended to abduct Ponto; when he resisted, they shot him five times. Ponto subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Frankfurt. The attackers escaped with their driver, Peter-Jürgen Boock, and later took responsibility under the name Roter Morgen (Red Morning).