Egidius Braun was born on February 27, 1925 in Breinig in the Aachen region.

He was released as a prisoner of war in 1946, went on to study law and philosophy and then set up his own business. After a few years as an amateur footballer in his home town, he began his career as an official as chairman of SV Breinig.

In 1973, he was appointed President of the Central Rhine Football Association, a member of the DFB Advisory Board and Vice President of the West German Football Association. From 1977 to 1992, Braun was treasurer of the DFB before being elected DFB president. He held this highest office in German soccer until 2001.

In addition to his commitment to sport, he always stood up for the weak in society. During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Braun visited an orphanage with some of the national team players and, under the impression of the misery, founded the Mexico Aid of the Egidius Braun Foundation.

On October 22, 1998, Braun was honored for his work by Lord Mayor Diehl and Minister President Eichel at a reception during the DFB Bundestag in Wiesbaden. He then signed the city's Golden Book.