Hans Bentzien (4 January 1927 – 18 May 2015) was a German writer and politician who served as the culture minister of East Germany from 1961 to 1966.

[1][3] Bentzien was appointed culture minister in February 1961, replacing Alexander Abusch in the post.

[1][4] Bentzien was removed from office in January 1966 due to the alleged violation of the SED rules.

[5] In the same move Kurt Turba, head of the youth commission at the Politburo of the SED's Central Committee, was also fired.

[1] In 1975 he was appointed deputy chairman of the state committee for television and served in the post until 1979 when he was dismissed.