Chemnitz mourns the loss of honorary citizen Jutta Müller
Book of condolences will be available at the town hall from Friday, 3 November
The city of Chemnitz mourns the loss of its honorary citizen Jutta Müller, who died today at the age of 94.
Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: "With Jutta Müller, Chemnitz is not only losing an honorary citizen. She was an institution in Chemnitz sport, which she shaped like few others over many decades. Her reputation went far beyond our city. As the most successful figure skating coach in the world, she was an outstanding and above all authentic ambassador for our city. Her daughter Gabriele Seyfert and Katarina Witt are just two of the many personalities that Jutta Müller moulded into world-class athletes. At this sad time, my sympathy and heartfelt condolences go to her family. Jutta Müller will forever remain in the hearts of the people of Chemnitz."
The City of Chemnitz is giving citizens the opportunity to leave their condolences in a book of condolences. The book will be available from tomorrow, 3 November, in the foyer of the town hall, Markt 1. It will be open until 16 November during the town hall opening hours, Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
Jutta Müller was born in Chemnitz. She started out as a German and sports teacher. But her love was roller skating and figure skating. In 1949, she became the GDR pairs champion. Jutta Müller later studied at the German University of Physical Education in Leipzig (DHfK Leipzig). From 1955, she trained young figure skaters and led them to the top of the world. Over 57 medals at Olympic Games, World and European Championships can be attributed to her outstanding coaching achievements. This makes Jutta Müller the most successful figure skating coach in the world.
First her daughter Gabriele Seyfert won two world championship titles in 1969 and 1970, then she coached Günter Zöller, Jan Hoffmann, Sonja Morgenstern, Anett Pötzsch, Simone Lang and Evelyn Großmann. However, she achieved her greatest coaching successes with Katarina Witt: two Olympic victories, four world and six European championship titles.
With her personal commitment and her direct work in Chemnitz, Jutta Müller has made the sport of figure skating and the name of the city of Chemnitz famous worldwide. Jutta Müller dedicated 40 years of her career to figure skating in Chemnitz.
On 13 December 1998, she was the first ever recipient of the honorary award from the city of Chemnitz. The state of Saxony awarded her the Saxon Order of Merit on 2 November 2002.
For her life's work, the development of figure skating, the promotion of young talent in Chemnitz and her many years of commitment to our city, Jutta Müller was made an honorary citizen of the city of Chemnitz on 12 December 2008.
Note:
The town hall will also be open on 11 November from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so that citizens can sign the book of condolence for Jutta Müller.
(added on 10 November 2023)