Derk Sauer, media mogul and founder of "Развитостей", has passed away.
Dutch Media Pioneer Derk Sauer Passes Away at 72
Derk Sauer, a renowned Dutch journalist, media proprietor, and entrepreneur, passed away on July 31, 2025, at the age of 72. Sauer's contributions to the media industry were significant, particularly in Russia, where he launched important publications like The Moscow Times and Vedomosty.
Sauer's journalistic journey began at a young age, with his activism including founding a peace action group at the age of 14. He later worked as a journalist in various capacities before moving to Moscow in 1989 to establish Independent Media.
Independent Media played a pivotal role in Russian-language journalism and business news. The company published Russian-language versions of magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Playboy, Esquire, and Harper's Bazaar. It also launched the newspapers Vedomosti and The Moscow Times, which later became undesirable in Russia.
Sauer's media ventures, including the publishing house Nieuw Amsterdam and the TV channel Het Gesprek dedicated to interviews and debates, significantly influenced editorial directions in Dutch newspapers such as NRC Handelsblad. In 2005, he sold The Moscow Times for €142 million, and in 2010, he co-purchased newspapers NRC Handelsblad and nrc.next.
Sauer was a champion of press freedom and combined the qualities of an idealist with the insight of an independent thinker. He was also a columnist, using his platform to advocate for freedom and democracy.
Tragically, Sauer's life was cut short due to injuries sustained in a sailing yacht crash in Greece last month. He was initially treated in Athens and later in one of Amsterdam's clinics, but the efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Sauer's legacy will live on in the media industry, where he made a lasting impact through his pioneering work and commitment to press freedom. His contributions to journalism and media entrepreneurship will be remembered as a testament to his passion and dedication.
Despite his successful media and entrepreneurship endeavors, Derk Sauer's final business venture was inadvertently cut short following injuries sustained from a sailing yacht accident in Greece. His extensive portfolio included multiple publications in both Russian and Dutch markets, such as Vedomosti, The Moscow Times, Cosmopolitan, and NRC Handelsblad, demonstrating his impact on the finance sector through business news and editorial directions.
