F riede Springer is a German publisher and the widow of Axel Springer, the founder of the media giant Axel Springer SE. She is the fifth and final wife of the legendary publisher and has been the guardian of his corporate and ideological legacy since his death in 1985. She is one of the most powerful and influential women in European media.

After her husband's death, she took a leading role in the company, defending it against takeover attempts and ensuring its continuity. She serves as the deputy chairwoman of the supervisory board and is the head of the Axel Springer Foundation. She controls the majority of the voting rights in the company, which owns a vast portfolio of newspapers and digital media brands, including the German tabloid Bild and the newspaper Die Welt. In recent years, she has overseen the company's major strategic pivot towards digital media and its acquisition of American media companies like Politico and Business Insider.