Pforzheim mourns honorary citizen Waltraud Steinle

The city of Pforzheim is mourning the death of honorary citizen Waltraud Steinle, who passed away at the age of 104. Steinle was the only living honorary citizen of the city.

In May of this year, Mayor Peter Boch awarded her the city's highest distinction, making her the first woman to receive the honor since the Second World War. Steinle is widely recognized as the ‘mother of the Wildpark,’ having dedicated decades of effort to developing and maintaining the city's wildlife park alongside her late husband, Ewald Steinle.

Born in 1922, Steinle lived through the destruction of Pforzheim during World War II and contributed to the city's subsequent reconstruction. Mayor Boch expressed deep sadness over her passing, noting that her life's work has left a lasting impact on the community.