Rest in Peace – Rudi Trautz – Extraordinary Human Being, Dancer, Diplomat, Father & Grandfather

It is with unending and immense sadness, that we have to let you know of the passing of Mr. Rudi Trautz, Vice-President & Chief Examiner of the World Dance Council and the most decorated German Dancer in the history of dance.

Rudi was an extraordinary human being, kind, fair, most intelligent , the ultimate competitor and yet the kindest person we all had the pleasure of knowing.

He was the most successful German dancer of all times

Rudi Trautz won the World Championship title in Ballroom & Latin  four times in a row, and was European Champion eight times and German Champion 21 times. For this outstanding achievement , he was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit as well as many international Awards in the World of Dance.

His wife Martina once described him as the “Beckenbauer” of Ballroom Dancing. 

Originally, Trautz wanted to be an actor. He connected the enthusiasm for the artistic with his father, who was an opera singer. But acting training after the war was not possible for Rudi. Instead, he discovered his enthusiasm for dance during a dance class at his school. “I noticed immediately that I want to do that,” he once remarked. The result was that everything he tackled afterwards was only subordinate to one goal: to dance. The result was an unprecedented career.

He passed on his love for dance to his daughter Nina, who is a professional dancer and is currently asserting herself in the dance world.

Rudi’s passing is also an immense loss for the entire World of Dance. He was a statesman and diplomat and universally liked and respected.

Indeed, the WDC President and his fellow Vice-Presidents as well as all officers and employees of the of the Council are grieving this loss and almost unable to express the sadness they feel.

Rudi leaves his loving wife Martina, children Nina & Nicholas as well as his 2 grandchildren and we are sure that the entire dance world will join the WDC President Mr Donnie Burns MBE and the Board of Directors in expressing their sincerest condolences to the family and asking all to celebrate the life and achievements of Rudi in a manner he would have wished.

……With pride, strength, and kindness in abundance.

With my sincerest personal condolences,

Hannes Emrich

on behalf of the WDC President, Board of Directors and all officials of the World Dance Council