One of East Germany's most popular stage actresses in the 1960s as
member of the "Berliner Ensemble".
Her role as "Paula" on The Legend of Paul and Paula (1973), probably the most successful East
German movie ever, made her a superstar in the former GDR. She received
the "National Prize of the GDR" in 1976.
After supporting songwriter Wolf Biermann against the communist regime, she
was banned and emigrated to West Germany with her husband Hilmar Thate
(1980).
Published her autobiography "Ich fang' mich selber ein - Mein Leben" (I
catch myself - My life) in 2003.