Kurt Heinrich Rieth (28 February 1881 – 4 February 1969), was a German diplomat.

Rieth was born on 28 February 1881 in Antwerp, where he lived until World War I. He was the son of Heinrich Rieth (1844–1918), an importer of Russian oil for Belgium, the Netherlands and southern Germany.^[1]

Rieth studied in Germany, England and Belgium, ultimately receiving his juris doctor.^[1]

When Belgium was occupied by the troops of the German Empire during World War I, Rieth worked in the occupation administration. Between 1915 and 1918, he was employed in the political department of the Imperial German General Government of Belgium.^[2]

From 1919 to 1921, he was chargé d'affaires in Darmstadt and, from 1920, authorized representative of the Weimar Republic. He then worked at the Embassy in Rome until 1924. In 1923 he was appointed counselor. Between 1924 and 1931 he was counselor of the Embassy in Paris.^[2]

From April 1931 to August 1934, he was German Ambassador in Vienna (as successor to Hugo von Lerchenfeld and predecessor to Franz von Papen), taking part, among other things, in the consecration of the Kufstein Hero Organ on 3 May 1931. On 25 July 1934, during the July Putsch, Odo Neustädter-Stürmer, Emil Fey and Franz Holzweber negotiated with Rieth to withdraw from the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. In 1935 he was temporarily retired.^[3]

Rieth died on 4 February 1969 in Frankfurt am Main.^[11]