Doro Pesch Honoured as “Düsseldorfer of the Year 2024” for Lifetime Achievement

The Queen of Metal is recognized in her hometown for a groundbreaking career spanning over four decades.

April 01, 2025

Metal icon Doro Pesch has been honoured Düsseldorfer of the Year 2024 in the Lifetime Achievement category, recognizing her decades-long influence in music and her role as a cultural ambassador for the city. The award was presented during a formal gala at the Ständehaus in Düsseldorf, where Scorpions frontman Klaus Meine delivered the official tribute.

The annual Düsseldorfer of the Year awards, organized by the Rheinische Post, celebrate individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the city across a range of categories, including culture, sports, business, volunteer work, and lifetime achievement.

Doro Pesch, who first gained international attention in the 1980s with her band Warlock, is widely regarded as a pioneer in the heavy metal scene - a space traditionally dominated by male artists. Over the course of her career, she has sold more than ten million albums and performed over 3,500 shows in 60 countries, becoming one of the most influential women in rock and metal worldwide.

Now a solo artist, Pesch has continued to shape the genre by blending powerful metal elements with melodic, emotional tones, helping to broaden the genre’s appeal. Her dedication, resilience, and passion have not only secured her a global fanbase but also established her as a musical figurehead for her hometown.

“I’m overwhelmed and incredibly moved,” Doro said in her acceptance speech. “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this award from my hometown of Düsseldorf.” She added a heartfelt thank you to Klaus Meine, calling his tribute “deeply touching” and describing the evening as one she will carry in her heart forever.

With this recognition, Doro Pesch joins a select group of honorees celebrated for shaping Düsseldorf’s identity and making a lasting impact well beyond the city’s borders.