German film star turned doctor Marianne Koch turns 95, publishes memoir

From medical student to film idol

Marianne Koch, who turns 95 on 19 August, began her professional life with no intention of earning money from acting. After completing her Abitur in Munich in 1949, she enrolled in medical school. Film work started as a sideline: she took small roles during semester breaks. After passing the Physikum in 1952, she interrupted her studies to concentrate on cinema, entirely without formal acting training. She became an idol of the Wirtschaftswunderjahre, appearing alongside Curd Jürgens, Heinz Rühmann, O.W. Fischer and Gregory Peck.

Her breakthrough came in 1955 with Helmut Käutner's "Ludwig II.", where she played Princess Sophie, sister of Sisi (portrayed by Ruth Leuwerik). She received the Bundesfilmpreis for her performance in "Des Teufels General". By 1970 she had made roughly 70 films, including Sergio Leone's "Für eine Handvoll Dollar" alongside Clint Eastwood. Her travels took her around the world, and her new book recounts an invitation from the former Thai royal couple Bhumibol and Sirikit.

Return to medicine

The glamour of the film world did not bring her fulfilment. In 1973, now a mother of two sons, Koch returned to university and completed her medical studies with a doctorate a few years later. In 1985 she opened an internal medicine practice in Munich. She has said she does not regret leaving the film industry "not one second", viewing acting as a long episode in her life.

Television and health journalism

Koch's fame with German television audiences came largely through the ARD quiz show "Was bin ich?", hosted by Robert Lembke. She was part of the show from the 1960s, asking precise questions alongside the piggy bank in which five-mark coins clinked for contestants. She also moderated the Radio Bremen talk show "3 nach 9" for eight years, receiving the Grimme-Preis in 1976. For 25 years she was part of the "Gesundheitssprechstunde" team at Bayerischer Rundfunk, and she authored several health guides on topics including the immune system and aging.

New book and 95th birthday

Koch has lived at Lake Starnberg for more than 50 years. Her new book, "Mutig sein!" - Erinnerungen an abenteuerliche 95 Jahre, runs to about 150 pages and is scheduled for publication on 13 August. She told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur she plans to celebrate her birthday "gemütlich" with her family and her small dog. She can still "walk and think quite well", she said, though she finds it a "strange feeling to become so old". Her grandmother and mother both lived to 94.

In the book, Koch looks back on her life and takes stock, letting readers into her private photo album with childhood photos.

“It is not a truly comprehensive retrospective. They are funny, but also serious episodes from my very diverse and interesting life. I had a lot of luck, and that is why the prevailing feeling is gratitude.”