His music and films sold well there but less so abroad. He also starred in his own television program, Gestatten – Rex Gildo. During the 1980s and 1990s, Gildo's popularity decreased. His appearances were mainly at folk festivals, shopping centres and other similar venues; he was also reported to have problems with alcoholism. His final performance, on the day of his suicide attempt, was in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt. Personal life and death In 1974, Gildo married his cousin Marion Ohlsen in a "Lavender marriage". The couple had no children and separated in 1990. After his death it was published that he was gay and had a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary, and with whom he lived for 7 years. Gildo died in 1999, aged 63, having spent three days in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering psychological problems.
His music and films sold well there but less so abroad. He also starred in his own television program, Gestatten – Rex Gildo. During the 1980s and 1990s, Gildo's popularity decreased. His appearances were mainly at folk festivals, shopping centres and other similar venues; he was also reported to have problems with alcoholism. His final performance, on the day of his suicide attempt, was in front of more than 3000 people at a furniture shop outside Frankfurt. Personal life and death
 In 1974, Gildo married his cousin Marion Ohlsen in a "Lavender marriage". The couple had no middle aged and separated in 1990. After his death it was published that he was gay and had a relationship with Dave Klingeberg, his secretary, and with whom he lived for 7 years. Gildo died in 1999, aged 63, having spent three days in an artificially-induced coma after attempting suicide by jumping from the window of his apartment building. He was said to have been suffering psychological problems.