After suffering from a short illness, he died at the age of 81 on 3 June 2015 at his home in Zirndorf, Bavaria. Upon his death, Brandstätter Group stated, "With Horst Brandstätter the Playmobil family loses not just its leader, proprietor and patriarch, but Germany's toy industry has lost one of its most distinguished personalities".
After a brief illness, he passed away at 81 years old on June 3, 2015, at his residence in Zirndorf, Bavaria. Upon his passing, the Brandstätter Group declared, "With Horst Brandstätter, the Playmobil family loses not just its leader, proprietor, and patriarch but Germany's toy industry has lost one of its most distinguished personalities."