Alice Sara Priester was born on 5 April 1875 in Berlin, German Empire (now Germany), to Jewish parents Flora (née Eyck), and merchant Moritz Priester.

[3] Michaelis was an active member of the Association of Women Artists of Berlin, from 1911 to 1934 and held leadership positions.

On 3 October 1942 during the Holocaust, she was transported to Theresienstadt Ghetto in Terezín in Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (German-occupied Czechoslovakia; now Czech Republic).

[1][4][5] Her husband Louis was also murdered, some six months prior to her at the Theresienstadt Ghetto.

[6] Several other members of the Association of Berlin Women Artists were murdered during The Holocaust, including Julie Wolfthorn.