Jürgen Hingsen, the renowned German decathlete and former Olympian, faced unexpected tribulations as he debuted his reality television career on the popular show 'Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus!' (I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!) during its 2025 season. Known for his impressive athletic prowess throughout the 1980s, the 67-year-old athlete brought his competitive spirit to the Australian jungle, but his participation was cut short earlier than anticipated.
On January 24, 2025, the latest season of the RTL reality show commenced, with Hingsen among twelve celebrities vying for the coveted title of jungle king or queen. Hosted by the familiar duo Sonja Zietlow and Jan Köppen, the season promised significant drama and challenges, quickly living up to its reputation. Hingsen, born on January 25, 1958, had gained widespread recognition as one of Germany's top athletes but was now thrust back under the spotlight of public scrutiny.
Unfortunately for Hingsen, the start of his reality TV adventure took a wrong turn. During the eighth episode, after much fanfare and excitement from the audience, the former Olympian became the first contestant eliminated from the competition. This occurred amid controversies surrounding various camp dynamics, including altercations over missing cigarettes and heated discussions between the camp members.
Notably, the show has been characterized by increasing tensions among contestants, with Hingsen himself engaging in gossip sessions, which did not escape the audience's notice. His remarks about fellow participants, including critiques of the behavior of others, drew both laughter and ire from fans. After one particularly biting comment he made about his fellow camp members, it became clear to viewers and producers alike how his sharp tongue was shaping perceptions of him on the show.
"Ungerechtigkeit und unproduktive Äußerungen bringen mich auf die Palme" (Unfairness and unproductive comments drive me up the wall), Hingsen reportedly expressed, highlighting the frustration he felt within the camp environment. These sentiments were echoed as he shared moments with other contestants, including gossiping during night watch duties with Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss.
Issues came to a head when Sam Dylan, another contestant, failed to secure any stars during the camp’s trial, which is typically necessary for earning food rewards. This failure added more fuel to the fire, leading to bickering and blame-shifting among the participants. Hingsen’s reputation as the camp’s ‘gossip queen’ seemed to cement his public image as he critiqued others transparently.
Adding to the existing friction, Hingsen also faced challenges adjusting to life at the camp. "Im olympischen Dorf haben wir in Hotels geschlafen. Hier habe ich nur eine Pritsche" (At the Olympic village, we slept in hotels. Here, I only have a cot), he noted, stressing the stark difference between the comforts of his past life as a decorated athlete and his current living situation. The physical discomfort seemed less of his worry than the mental challenge of connecting with his fellow competitors, some of whom he found particularly 'strange.'
Hingsen’s proclivity for comment drew laughs and groans alike from viewers. It showcased his witty, if not at times acerbic, personality. His observations on fellow cabin-mates were both amusing and chastising as he mused over the machinations and motivations behind their actions. His comments were decidedly candid; he reflected on various personalities saying: “Alessia... manchmal stellt die sich dämlich an. Ich glaube, so dämlich ist die gar nicht” (Alessia... sometimes she acts stupid. I don't think she's really all of the time), seeming to hold court on the behaviors of others.
Despite his charismatic personality and previous fame, Hingsen's time on the show was merely footnoted by his abrupt exit. Being ousted from the camp proved disappointing for the former star athlete, especially since he openly desired to demonstrate his worth and participate more fully. "Ich wollte mich im Camp eigentlich unter Beweis stellen" (I wanted to prove myself in the camp), he lamented, showing his regret at departing so soon.
The aftermath of his elimination led to mixed reactions from the fanbase, some expressing sorrow for the beloved athlete, after decades away from such industry appearances, and others arguing his attitude might have been detrimental to his case. Nonetheless, Hingsen was able to return to the comforts of his life outside the camp, finding solace away from the chaos of reality TV.
Throughout the years, Jürgen Hingsen had seen glory on the athletics field, where he was once celebrated as one of the best decathletes worldwide, holding the world record from 1982 through 1984. Yet all these accolades seemed to ring hollow as he struggled to adapt to his new jungle environment, devoid of the status and privileges he once enjoyed.
Returning from the jungle, Hingsen expressed his longing for the comforts of home, particularly missing his wife Francesca’s cooking, famously stating, "Es gibt halt keine leckere Pasta meiner Frau" (There’s just no tasty pasta from my wife). With aspirations to engage with viewers and share lessons from both his athletic and personal life, he hopes to transition smoothly back to his previous roles outside the jungle world.
Now, as the Dschungelcamp 2025 season continues to roll on with fresh dramas and surprising challenges, Jürgen Hingsen reflects on his brief foray. The athlete, who once climbed to the peaks of athleticism, found himself grappling with new struggles, representing the duality of celebrity life as both revered and potentially fleeting.