Christiane Hörbiger

Christiane Hörbiger (13 October 1938 – 30 November 2022) was an Austrian stage, film, and television actress. Her first major film role was Mary Vetsera in Kronprinz Rudolfs letzte Liebe in 1955. She appeared on the stage of the Burgtheater as Recha in Lessing's Nathan der Weise in 1959, became a member of Theater Heidelberg and later Schauspielhaus Zürich. From 1969 to 1972, she portrayed Die Buhlschaft in Hofmannsthal's Jedermann at the Salzburg Festival.

She is remembered for roles of strong, self-conscious women who defy adverse circumstances, as television series began to present from the mid-1980s, including Countess Christine von Guldenburg in the series Das Erbe der Guldenburgs from 1987 to 1990, and the title role of the Austrian television series Julia – Eine ungewöhnliche Frau from 1999 to 2004. She became a favourite with audiences and received international awards.

Life and career

Born in Vienna on 13 October 1938, Hörbiger was the second of the three actress daughters of Austrian actors Attila Hörbiger (1896–1987) and Paula Wessely (1907–2000). Her sisters were Elisabeth Orth and Maresa Hörbiger. She was the aunt of German actor Christian Tramitz.