She held the world record from 5 November 1967 to 12 August 1971, with a two-month break in 1968.

For her athletics achievements Westermann was selected as the German Sportspersonality of the year in 1967 and 1969,[2] and inducted into the Germany's Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

[3] After retiring from competitions Westermann worked as a teacher of physical education, eventually becoming a consultant for sports and health education with the Ministry for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony.

An avid opponent of doping (she was once described as the last undoped discus world record holder) she was a member of the Anti-Doping Commission of the German Sports Federation and the National Olympic Committee.

As a member of the Free Democratic Party she unsuccessfully contested district elections in 1984.