He was known for stylish color photo features, working from the 1960s for Stern and Geo on assignments around the globe as a photojournalist with a desire to photograph human conditions.

He made an iconic pair of images of boxer Muhammad Ali, and a controversial photograph of people with the 9/11 World Trade Center destruction in the background, View from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Manhattan, 9/11.

Hoepker was born in Munich on 10 June 1936,[1] the son of journalist Wolfgang Höpker and Sigrid von Klösterlein.

[1] He developed his prints in his family's kitchen and bathroom, and began to earn a little money by selling pictures to friends and classmates.

Hoepker studied art history and archaeology from 1956 to 1959 at LMU Muenchen and Göttingen where he learned about understanding images and composition.

[1] Developing his passion for photography, Hoepker won two prizes in the 'Young Photographer' category at the Photokina trade fair in Cologne.

[1][4][5][9] The president of Magnum, Cristina de Middel, wrote: A true visionary, Thomas's contributions extended beyond his remarkable, playful, poignant photographs.

As President of Magnum Photos from 2003 to 2006, he led with unwavering dedication and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of photographers and securing the future of the agency as a relevant entity.

His legacy within the Magnum community is one of inspiration, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence combined with kindness and generosity.

Thomas Hoepker's work will continue to inspire and educate, reminding us of the power of photography to shape our understanding of the world.