Christina Block Overview

Christina Block is a prominent German entrepreneur known for her significant contributions to the hospitality industry and her role in her family’s business empire. As the daughter of Eugen Block, co-owner of the well-known Block House restaurant chain, she has carved out her own path in the business world while also playing a crucial role in the family enterprise.

Early Life and Education

Christina Block was born into a family deeply rooted in the hospitality industry. After completing her secondary education at the Sophie-Barat-Schule in Hamburg in 1992, she pursued a career in hospitality, beginning with an apprenticeship as a hotel manager at the prestigious Bayerischer Hof in Munich. Her passion for the industry led her to further her training from 1995 to 1999 with various stints in Paris, Atlanta, and Beijing. To complement her practical experience, Block studied Business Administration in Edinburgh from 1999 to 2000.

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In her mid-20s, Christina Block set herself the ambitious goal of establishing a chain of upscale fast-food restaurants. She launched her first venture, “Prima Pane,” at Hamburg’s Alten Fischmarkt in 2001, offering a selection of ciabattas, baguettes, and wraps. The business expanded in 2003 with the opening of a second location. However, in 2012, she decided to close Prima Pane to dedicate herself fully to the family business.

Since 2011, Christina Block, alongside her two brothers, has been a shareholder in the Eugen Block Holding, which specializes in system gastronomy, hospitality, and food production. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving the company’s continued success and expansion.

Political Involvement and Industry Leadership

In addition to her business endeavors, Christina Block has also been active in the political sphere. In 2019, Marcus Weinberg, the CDU’s lead candidate, brought her on board as an economic expert for his campaign team in the 2020 Hamburg state elections. Her expertise in business and her commitment to economic growth made her a valuable asset to the campaign.

Since 2020, Block has served as the deputy chairperson of the Hamburg Tourism Association, where she has played a significant role in shaping the city’s tourism strategies and promoting Hamburg as a leading travel destination.

Personal Life

Christina Block’s personal life has also attracted public attention. Since July 2021, she has been in a relationship with television presenter Gerhard Delling.

Custody Dispute

Block was previously married to Stephan Hensel, a trained banker and now a business consultant, from 2005 until their divorce in 2018. The couple, who had been separated since 2014, share four children. The custody of their two youngest children became a contentious issue, leading to a highly publicized legal battle.

After their separation, Hensel moved to Gravenstein, Denmark. In August 2021, during a visit, the two youngest children reportedly refused to return to their mother in Hamburg. Following a legal dispute in Hamburg, the court initially awarded Hensel the right to determine the children’s place of residence. However, Block successfully appealed this decision, with the higher court ruling in her favor in October 2021. Despite the court’s decision, the children continued to resist returning to Hamburg, leading to further investigations by Danish authorities into potential child welfare concerns.

New Year’s Eve Incident and Legal Proceedings

The custody dispute took a dramatic turn on New Year’s Eve 2023 when Stephan Hensel was reportedly assaulted by multiple individuals in Denmark. During the attack, the children were taken away by the assailants and later appeared at Christina Block’s residence. According to media reports, Block allegedly admitted to the Hamburg senior prosecutor that she was behind the operation. However, her lawyer has denied any involvement, stating that she never commissioned anyone to forcibly bring her children from Denmark to Hamburg.

On January 4, 2024, a European arrest warrant was issued against Block, which was later converted into a residency order by the Hamburg Public Prosecutor’s Office. On March 5, 2024, the Danish authorities lifted the arrest warrant, as confirmed by Block’s lawyer. Nevertheless, the custody of the children was returned to their father, Stephan Hensel, on January 5, 2024, following a court ruling. The children were subsequently brought back to Denmark the same day.

Christina Block is currently under investigation for the alleged abduction of minors and other related offenses. Additionally, her father, Eugen Block, has also come under investigation for his potential involvement in the case since late April 2024.