Rut Brandt

Rut Brandt became highly popular in Germany and a noted public figure in her role as First Lady of Berlin and the chancellor's spouse.

At age 16, she joined a socialist youth group, which conducted political activities against the German occupation during the Second World War.

In Sweden, she married her Norwegian friend, Ole Olstadt Bergaust, who died in 1946.

In 1944, Hansen met Willy Brandt, the later German Chancellor, who had fled Germany.

When Brandt died in 1992, Brigitte Seebacher-Brandt did not allow Rut to attend the funeral – a decision which was highly criticised by many Germans.