His biographer, Lord Ralf Dahrendorf, characterized Gerd Bucerius as a "true liberal, independent and free". Born 19th May 1906 in Westphalia, Gerd Bucerius was successful in politics, business, and journalism, transcending the boundaries of these spheres.

Following his law studies, Gerd Bucerius first became a judge in Kiel. Because his wife was Jewish – he managed to get her to safety in England – he was barred from a civil service career under the National Socialist regime. As a lawyer who had frequently defended Jewish clients, Gerd Bucerius after 1945 embarked on a political career. In 1949 he entered the first German Bundestag and retained his seat until 1962.

In 1946 he began his career in journalism and publishing by founding DIE ZEIT and sometime later publishing "Stern" magazine. Throughout his life he remained on board DIE ZEIT as publisher, writer and adviser. Early on, Gerd Bucerius emerged as a benefactor in his chosen home town of Hamburg, providing scholarships for young German academic achievers. Upon his death in 1995 all his assets were left to the charitable Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius ZEIT-Stiftung.  At a ceremony to mark the centenary of his birth, Helmut Schmidt called him "one of the most influential citizens of Hamburg".