She began her career as a child film actor in the 1940s, became a singer after World War II, and left performing in the late 1950s to become a nurse.
Due to the Nuremberg Race Laws of 1935, she was unable to finish her education and instead had to do forced labour in a factory.
By her own account, she survived the early years of Nazism with the help of sympathetic people in her community, including some of the local policemen;[1] later her appearances in Nazi propaganda films offered some protection.
Only 12 years old when the film was shot, she didn't realize it was propaganda and was happy to have two weeks off from school and earn some money.
Asked to test a microphone one evening for other performers, she impressed the audience and the musicians with her talent and started a career as a singer.