Wagner was born as Gudrun Armann in Allenstein, East Prussia.
She grew up in Lower Bavaria near Regensburg, where she was moved at the age of four weeks because of World War II.
In 1970 she married Dietrich Mack, editor of Cosima Wagner's diary.
[1] Although officially keeping a low profile, she exercised influence on the festival from behind the scenes.
Wolfgang Wagner's attempt in 2001 to install his wife as successor did not pass a vote of the board of the festival foundation.