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Celebrity Suicides and the Werther Effect - Evidence From Fin-de-Siècle Vienna
1Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria.
Crisis
|November 21, 2025
Summary
Historical celebrity suicides in Vienna (1890-1913) were examined. One notable event, Colonel Redl's suicide, was linked to increased suicides, supporting the Werther effect. This study provides historical context for modern celebrity suicide impacts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- History
- Sociology
Background:
- Meta-analytic evidence suggests a rise in suicides following news reports of celebrity deaths.
- Existing research primarily focuses on contemporary celebrities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate historical celebrity suicides and their potential impact on suicide rates.
- To examine suicide patterns in fin-de-siècle Vienna (1890-1913) in relation to celebrity deaths.
Main Methods:
- Identified 58 significant figures from the Austrian Biographical Dictionary.
- Analyzed Vienna's civil death registers for suicides occurring after celebrity deaths.
- Conducted content analysis to assess media attention surrounding these events.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was found between media attention and increased suicides, aligning with the Werther effect hypothesis.
- Colonel Redl's 1913 suicide, with extensive media coverage, was the primary driver of this association.
- The overall association was largely attributed to this single high-profile event.
Conclusions:
- Colonel Redl's suicide holds significant historical importance regarding media influence on suicide.
- This historical evidence complements current meta-analytic findings on celebrity suicide news effects.
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