Hans-Holger Albrecht — media executive with roots in the Russian Empire
Hans-Holger Albrecht was born in Brussels in 1963, while his father Ernst Albrecht was serving as a director-general of the European Commission, and grew up in Lower Saxony after the family's return to Germany. He trained in law and moved into international media, working largely in the Nordic markets rather than in Germany.
He spent much of his career in Swedish broadcasting and digital media before becoming chief executive of the French music streaming service Deezer, a post he held until 2021. His work has been concentrated on the transition of broadcast and recorded media to subscription and streaming distribution.
He is a three-times great-grandson of Baron Ludwig Knoop and a brother of Ursula von der Leyen.
Tracing the roots — Moscow (Russia)
The commercial branch of the line, five generations after the family's mills were nationalised.
3x great-grandson of Baron Ludwig Knoop. Born in Brussels in 1963 during his father's service at the European Commission; brother of Ursula von der Leyen.
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Moscow (Russia). At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.