Born in Schiltach in the Black Forest in Germany, Friedrich worked for the Grohe Armaturen company in Hemer, Westfalen for much of his young adulthood. He established a sister company in Lahr in the Blackforest and then in 1963, he organized a merger and became CEO, leaving in 1970.

He later settled in Switzerland and spent the next ten years ski touring, climbing mountains and collecting paintings. After reading a book by Krishnamurti, he attended most of the talks around the world, and eventually met Krishnamurti in 1983.

Friedrich became a trustee of the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust and the Krishnamurti Foundation of India in 1984. He is an honorary trustee of Krishnamurti Foundation of America. He is the author of "The Beauty of the Mountain", and founder of "The Link".