1951 born in Stellenbosch near Cape Town, South Africa
1968 – 1973 studied Psychology and Zoology, University of Cape Town
1974 – 1976 studied forestry at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich
1976 – 1983 Porcelain Restoration, specializing in Meissner porcelain
2008 – 2012 Founder and CEO of the charity organization “Children without Hunger” in Munich
Lives and works in Icking near Munich
Married to Rolf Christof Dienst; three daughters and two sons