Her younger half-sister was Dorothea von Medem, for whom she carried out diplomatic work.

In 1787 her first book, Nachricht von des berüchtigten Cagliostro Aufenthalt in Mitau im Jahre 1779 und dessen magischen Operationen, a memoir-exposé of the months when she studied magic with "Count" Alessandro di Cagliostro, made a great impact right across Europe, with Catherine the Great even granting Elisa lands in Russia in recognition of the work (making Elisa financially independent).

She got to know Goethe, Schiller, Wieland, Herder and other European literary figures, and intensified their relationships through prolific correspondence.

Elisa von der Recke looked after thirteen foster daughters.

Media related to Elisa von der Recke at Wikimedia Commons