Franz Beckenbauer is dead. The German football legend died on Sunday at the age of 78, as his family announced to the German Press Agency on Monday. The ARD documentary “ Beckenbauer – Legend of German Football ” about his life and work was recently released. He himself didn’t have a say in it, but his brother Walter said: “If I said now that he’s fine, then I would be lying, and I don’t like lying. He does not feel good. It’s a constant up and down.”
Beckenbauer is dead: What is known about his medical history
Not much is known about the “Emperor’s” state of health. His family has largely shielded him from the public. He most recently lived in seclusion in Austria. In an interview with the magazine “Bunte” in 2022, he revealed that he had suffered an eye attack and had to “be careful” with his heart. “ Bild ” also writes that he suffered from Parkinson’s disease with associated dementia. What is known and what lies behind the individual diseases:
1. Eye infarction
“I had a so-called ocular infarction in one eye. Unfortunately, I can’t see anything on the right anymore,” said Beckenbauer in an interview with “Bunte”.
The symptoms: An eye infarction is caused by a vascular occlusion in the optic nerve or retina – similar to a stroke or heart attack, as expert Christoph Eckert explained to FOCUS online. The cause of narrowed or blocked blood vessels is usually blood clots or deposits. According to the ophthalmologist, indications of this could be that from one moment to the next everything seems blurry or as if through a veil. An eye infarction is considered an emergency that requires immediate ophthalmological treatment. Otherwise there is a risk of long-term damage.
The risk factors: Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, lipid metabolism disorders that are associated with elevated cholesterol levels or high blood pressure are considered risk factors for an eye infarction or vascular occlusion. According to experts, stress can also play a role. Eckert cites a decrease in visual performance (up to complete blindness in severe cases), loss of color sense and loss of visual field as possible consequences.
2. Heart problems
Beckenbauer also suffered from heart problems. The former Bayern professional has undergone two heart operations in recent years. “The heart can only withstand this for six months, then you’re gone,” the doctor told him at the time, he also reported in an interview with “Bunte”.
During the operations he had several bypasses placed. In a bypass operation, the body’s own vessel is transplanted to bridge narrow areas in the coronary arteries, writes the German Heart Center Berlin.
3. Parkinson’s disease with associated dementia
The “Bild” writes today that Beckenbauer also suffered from Parkinson’s disease with accompanying dementia. The chronically progressive, neurodegenerative disease leads, among other things, to stiff muscles, slowed movements and uncontrollable tremors. Dementia can also be a consequence.
The symptoms: Typical symptoms include tremors, other movement disorders such as muscle stiffness, slow movements and balance problems, writes the German Parkinson’s Society. Additional symptoms can include “freezing” of movements, difficulty speaking and swallowing, disorders of autonomic functions (e.g. blood pressure and digestion), sleep disorders, depression and mental impairments up to dementia.
The risk factors: The cause of cell death in Parkinson’s disease has not yet been clearly established. Deposits (Lewy bodies) form in the affected nerve cells, which mainly consist of clumps of the protein molecule alpha-synuclein and are discussed as the cause of the neurodegenerative process. In addition, it is likely that various other factors also play an important role in the development of Parkinson’s disease. Frequent blows to the head are also considered a risk factor. Several studies have found that professional footballers, boxers and footballers have an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s than other people.
“I would like to thank you for the beautiful life I was able to lead”
Franz Beckenbauer looked contentedly on his life. On the occasion of his 75th birthday, he said to “Bunte”: “You become aware of finiteness. And of course that concerns you.” Although he has death in mind, he is by no means afraid. “Why should I be upset about something I can’t change anyway? I know it will happen. You just think about it more as you get older than you did when you were young.”
As a Catholic, he prayed every day. “We have a soul. It comes from somewhere. And I think she will go back there at some point,” he said. “It all has to have a meaning. […] I thank you for the beautiful life I was able to lead. It’s appropriate to say thank you every day.”