Ellen Franz, also known as Helene, Baroness von Heldburg (30 May 1839 – 24 March 1923) was a German pianist and actress.

According to Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt, Ellen Franz made her first appearance in the Hoftheater of Meiningen in 1867.

On 18 March 1873 she married, as his third wife, Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, in the Villa Feodora in Bad Liebenstein.

Because of her bourgeois origin, the Duke ennobled her shortly before their marriage, as Baroness von Heldburg, the title by which she was henceforth known.

Helene also implemented major changes in the dramaturgy, as well as being responsible for commitment and cast decisions and the education of young students.