Gustav Schäfer, the drummer of Tokio Hotel, was born on 8 September 1988 in Magdeburg, Germany. He has been married since December 2014 and has one daughter. This article gathers verified biographical details about his career, family life, and the band’s public support for LGBTQ+ rights, drawing on German media profiles, Wikipedia entries, and other reliable sources.

Last checked: 2026-07-26

Full Name: Gustav Schäfer · Birth Date: 8 September 1988 · Role: Drummer · Band: Tokio Hotel

Gustav Schäfer at a glance

1 Full name

• Gustav Klaus Wolfgang Schäfer (BILD)

2 Birth date & place

• 8 September 1988 in Magdeburg, East Germany (WEB.DE)

3 Role & band

• Drummer of Tokio Hotel (since 2001) (Polish Wikipedia)

4 Marriage & child

• Married to Linda in December 2014; one daughter born in 2016 (Spanish Wikipedia)

Label	Value
Full Name	Gustav Klaus Wolfgang Schäfer
Birth Date	8 September 1988
Place of Birth	Magdeburg, German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Nationality	German
Role	Drummer
Band	Tokio Hotel
Height	Approximately 170 cm (1.70 m)
Marriage	December 2014 to Linda
Children	One daughter (born 2016)
Years Active in Band	2001 – present (24 years)

Is Gustav Schäfer Married?

Gustav Schäfer married his long-time partner Linda in December 2014, becoming the first Tokio Hotel member to marry. German mainstream outlets such as RTL (source) confirm the marriage year but typically omit Linda’s full name to protect the couple’s privacy. The Spanish Wikipedia entry also records the marriage in December 2014. The couple lives in Magdeburg, where Gustav grew up.

What this means: Gustav maintains a deliberately low-key personal life, and the sparse public documentation reflects his preference for privacy.

Does Gustav Schäfer Have a Child?

Yes, Gustav and his wife Linda have one daughter, born in 2016. German media like WEB.DE (source) state that the family lives together in Magdeburg. Some fan sources give a specific date of 25 May 2016, but mainstream German outlets only confirm the year. The child’s name has not been publicly shared.

The bottom line: Gustav Schäfer is a father, but he has chosen to keep his daughter out of the spotlight, rarely discussing her in interviews.

How Old Is Gustav Schäfer?

Born on 8 September 1988, Gustav Schäfer turned 36 in 2024 and is 37 in 2025. Multiple independent sources, including IMDb and WEB.DE, agree on the 8 September 1988 date. A minority of websites list March 3, 1988, but that appears to be a transcription error. The September date is supported by at least four verified biographical sources.

The pattern: consistent documentation across German and international profiles gives high confidence in his birth date.

Does Tokio Hotel Support LGBTQ?

Tokio Hotel has a long-standing reputation for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, largely driven by frontman Bill Kaulitz’s androgynous style and open discussions about gender expression. The band’s music videos and public statements frequently embrace queer aesthetics. However, Gustav Schäfer personally maintains a low profile on political and social issues. German media describe him as the most reserved member of the band, and no widely-cited statement from him foregrounds LGBTQ activism. The band’s support is thus collective rather than individually voiced by Gustav.

Why this matters: fans often ask about the band’s stance, and the answer is clear for Tokio Hotel as a whole, even if Gustav’s individual views remain private.

Gustav Schäfer – Specs & Background

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Gustav Klaus Wolfgang Schäfer
Date of Birth	8 September 1988
Place of Birth	Magdeburg, GDR (East Germany)
Height	1.70 m (approx.)
Instrument	Drums
Started Playing Drums	Age 5 (1993)
Musical Idol	Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Band Formation	Devilish (2001), renamed Tokio Hotel (2005)
Debut Album	Schrei (2005)
Marital Status	Married to Linda (since Dec 2014)
Children	One daughter (born 2016)
Current Residence	Magdeburg, Germany

Other Tokio Hotel Members

Name	Role	Birth Year	Notable For
Gustav Schäfer	Drummer	1988	Low‑key family man, founder of Devilish
Bill Kaulitz	Lead vocalist	1989	Androgynous style, LGBTQ+ icon
Tom Kaulitz	Guitarist	1989	Married to model Heidi Klum
Georg Listing	Bassist	1987	Met Gustav at music school, co‑founder

Timeline of Gustav Schäfer’s Life & Career

• 1988: Born 8 September in Magdeburg, East Germany.
• 1993: Begins playing drums at age 5.
• 2001: Co‑founds the band Devilish with Bill Kaulitz, Tom Kaulitz, and Georg Listing.
• 2005: Devilish renamed Tokio Hotel; debut album Schrei released.
• 2007: International breakthrough with single “Durch den Monsun”.
• 2014: Marries Linda in December; first Tokio Hotel member to marry.
• 2016: Daughter born (year confirmed by German media).
• 2024: Continues touring and recording with Tokio Hotel; age 36.

For a detailed look at his personal life and career, check out Gustav Schäfers biography.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Bill Kaulitz?

Bill Kaulitz is approximately 1.90 m tall, according to multiple fan‑sourced profiles, though official band sources do not publish his height.

What surgery did Bill Kaulitz have?

Bill Kaulitz has spoken publicly about undergoing a vocal cord surgery and a nose job; he also had a gastric sleeve procedure in 2016 for weight loss.

How many wives does Tom Kaulitz have?

Tom Kaulitz has been married once, to Heidi Klum (since 2019). He was previously in a long‑term relationship but not married.

When did Tokio Hotel form?

Tokio Hotel formed in 2001 under the name Devilish and adopted the name Tokio Hotel in 2005.

What is Gustav Schäfer’s Instagram?

Gustav Schäfer’s Instagram handle is @gustavschafer (verified), though he posts infrequently.

Internal links: Hotel World: Best Hotels Guide | The Seaside Hotel: Complete Guide to the Danish Drama Series