Kurt Hager (24 July 1912 – 18 September 1998) was an East German statesman, a member of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany who was known as the chief ideologist of the party and decided many cultural and educational policies in the German Democratic Republic.

From 1937 to 1939 he participated in the Spanish Civil War as a journalist, where he worked for the Deutscher Freiheitssender 29,8 [de] (German Freedom Broadcaster) and Radio Madrid's foreign program.

This rejection of the policy of glasnost and perestroika of the Soviet military power met an angry reception both in the party base, as well as in the population of the GDR.

Wolf Biermann titled Hager - probably due to this occasion, in his song "The Ballad of the corrupt old men" scornfully as "Professor Tapeten-Kutte".

In an encounter with GDR-journalists spontaneously visiting his residence at "Wachobjekt Wandlitz", Hager claimed he was placed there against his will at the climax of the Cold War.

He received 1956 Hans-Beimler-Medaille, 1962 Banner of Labor, 1964 Vaterländischer Verdienstorden, 1969 entitled Hero of Labour, as well as 1972, 1977 and 1982 Order of Karl Marx.

She is vice chairman of the German Communist Party (DKP), a member of the National Executive and there are other positions.