Maria Furtwängler-Burda (short version: ; born 13 September 1966) is a German physician and television actress.

Early life

Maria Furtwängler-Burda is a daughter of architect Bernhard Furtwängler and actress Kathrin Ackermann, great-niece and step-granddaughter of conductor

Wilhelm Furtwängler Gustav Heinrich Ernst Martin Wilhelm Furtwängler ( , ; ; 25 January 188630 November 1954) was a German conductor and composer. He is regarded as one of the greatest Symphony, symphonic and operatic conductors of the 20th century. He was a majo ...

, and granddaughter of politician Katharina von Kardorff-Oheimb. She has two older brothers, David and Felix. She was given her first movie role, for which she earned a bike, at the age of seven in ''Goodbye with Mums'', produced by her uncle Florian Furtwängler. Her mother taught her acting and she later took acting classes in Germany and other countries. After leaving secondary school, Furtwängler studied medicine at the

University of Montpellier The University of Montpellier () is a public university, public research university located in Montpellier, in south-east of France. Established in 1220, the University of Montpellier is one of the List of oldest universities in continuous opera ...

, France, and graduated from the

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (simply University of Munich, LMU or LMU Munich; ) is a public university, public research university in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Originally established as the University of Ingolstadt in 1472 by Duke ...

in Germany. Afterwards she trained and worked as a medical doctor.

Personal life

On 8 November 1991, Furtwängler married billionaire publisher

Hubert Burda Hubert Burda (born 9 February 1940) is a German billionaire publisher. He is the owner, publisher and general partner of Hubert Burda Media, a global media company of more than 600 media products, including websites, print magazines and other ...

(born 1940), the youngest son of publishers Franz Burda and

Aenne Burda Aenne Burda (28 July 1909 – 3 November 2005), born Anna Magdalene Lemminger, was a German publisher of the Hubert Burda Media, Burda Group, a media group based in Offenburg and Munich, Germany. She was one of the symbols of the Wirtschaftswund ...

, and CEO of

Hubert Burda Media Hubert Burda Media Holding is a German media group with headquarters in Offenburg. It originated as a small printing business, founded by Franz Burda Snr in Philippsburg, in 1903. In 1986, the corporate group was divided up between Franz Jnr, ...

, an international media group which publishes over 180 magazine titles, including many fashion magazines. They have two children, Jakob (born 1990) and Elisabeth (born 1992).

Career

Furtwängler began her acting career in the mid-1990s. Since then, she has acted in German television series and productions such as the ''

Tatort ("Crime Scene") is a German-language police procedural television series that has been running continuously since 1970 with 30 feature-length episodes per year, making it the longest-running German TV drama. Developed by the German public-se ...

'' series, as Hanover-based police detective Charlotte Lindholm since 2002, the successful television movies '' March of Millions'', and ''Die Schicksalsjahre'' and cinema production ' (''Das Wetter in geschlossenen Räumen''). For her work in ''Tatort'' and ''March of Millions,'' Furtwängler was honored with Germany's most important award in the field of acting. With the movie ''The Weather Inside'' she won best actress at the ''2morrow festival'' in Moscow; she was shortlisted in the ''Deutscher Filmpreis'' (German film prize). The film opened at the 2016 German Film Festival in New York City. In 2022, Furtwängler chaired an independent jury that selected

Edward Berger Edward Berger (; born 1970) is a Swiss nationality , Swiss and Austrian nationality law, Austrian director and screenwriter. He is known for his work in Germany, where he was born and grew up, such as the German films ''Jack (2014 film), Jack'' ...

’s '' All Quiet on the Western Front'' in the race for the 95th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

Activism

Since its inception in 2005, Furtwängler has been involved in the Burda-sponsored

Digital Life Design Digital Life Design (DLD) is a global conference network, organized by Munich-based DLD Media, a company of Hubert Burda Media. In 2005, Stephanie Czerny founded DLD as an annual conference scheme. The main purpose of DLD is to bring together bus ...

(DLD) conference series. She annually hosts a joint Burda/DLD networking reception at the

World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international non-governmental organization, international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank, based in Cologny, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded on 24 January 1971 by German ...

meeting in

Davos Davos (, ; or ; ; Old ) is an Alpine resort town and municipality in the Prättigau/Davos Region in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. It has a permanent population of (). Davos is located on the river Landwasser, in the Rhaetian ...

. In 2010 Furtwängler founded the MALISAhome in the Philippines. For the

ONE Campaign ONE Campaign (styled as ONE) is an international, non-partisan, non-profit organization advocating for the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. The campaigning organization uses data, grassroots ac ...

, she became a goodwill ambassador for Women, Girls and Child Health. In 2015 she co-signed the ONE Campaign's open letter to

Chancellor Chancellor () is a title of various official positions in the governments of many countries. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the (lattice work screens) of a basilica (court hall), which separa ...

Angela Merkel Angela Dorothea Merkel (; ; born 17 July 1954) is a German retired politician who served as Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. She is the only woman to have held the office. She was Leader of the Opposition from 2002 to 2005 and Leade ...

and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women. Also in 2015, she interviewed Merkel on development policy issues for the Chancellor's weekly podcast. In 2013, after a meeting with

Eve Ensler V, formerly Eve Ensler (; born May 25, 1953), is an American playwright, author, performer, feminist, and activist. V is best known for her play ''The Vagina Monologues''.

in Berlin, Furtwängler became more involved campaigning to end violence against women and girls in Germany. She is particularly interested in the role of the media in perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes. She has been inspired by the

Geena Davis Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis (born January 21, 1956) is an American actor. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Davis made her acting debut in the satirical romantic comedy ''Toots ...

Institute and by the Women's Media Center in the US. On

International Women's Day International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March, commemorating women's fight for equality and liberation along with the women's rights movement. International Women's Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive righ ...

2016, Furtwängler supported the call of

UN Women The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity charged with working for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women is charged with advocating for the righ ...

's German National Committee for a reform of the German legislation on sexual violence, based around the No Means No consent principle, which is currently not recognised in Germany. Also on International Women's Day 2016, she co-authored an op-ed with

Manuela Schwesig Manuela Schwesig (; ' Frenzel, born 23 May 1974) is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, Social Democratic Party serving as List of Ministers-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpomm ...

, the German Minister for family, older people, women, and youth, highlighting the need for a stronger sexual violence law and for an end to stereotyping of women and men, particularly in the media.

Other activities

Corporate boards

* Celesio, Member of the Advisory Board on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (since 2010)

Non-profit organizations

* Dominik Brunner Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees * Felix Burda Foundation, Member of the Council * German Doctors for Developing Countries, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees * Hubert Burda Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees * MaLisa Foundation, Co-Founder and Member of the BoardAbout the Foundation
MaLisa Foundation. * Stiftung Lesen, Ambassador

Awards

*2016 12. Festival des deutschen Films for Dramatic Art for ''The weather inside'' *2016 2morrow-Award *2013 Jupiter Award for Best TV Actress for ''Tatort: Wegwerfmädchen'' *2010 Karl Valentin Order *2010 Bavarian constitutional medal in silver *2009 Romy for Most Popular Cast in a Series *2008 DIVA-Award in the category "Best Leading Actress" for ''Die Flucht'' *2008 Jupiter Award for Best TV Actress in ''Die Flucht'' *2008

Goldene Kamera The Goldene Kamera ("Golden Camera") is an annual German film and television award, awarded by the Funke Mediengruppe. The award show was usually held in early February in Hamburg, but also took place in Berlin on occasion. It has been paused ...

for Best Female TV Inspector (Readers Choice) *2007 Bavarian Order of Merit *2007 Goldene Henne in the category "Television – Drama" *2007 German Television Award for Best Actress in Tatort episodes ''Pauline'' and ''Das namenlose Mädchen'' *2005 Siegfried-Lowitz-Preis for Dramatic Art *2003

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (, or , BVO) is the highest state decoration, federal decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It may be awarded for any field of endeavor. It was created by the first List of president ...

for her commitment in the aid organization "German Doctors"

Filmography

*2021: ''

Confessions of Felix Krull ''Confessions of Felix Krull'' () is an unfinished 1954 novel by the Germany, German author Thomas Mann. Synopsis The novel is narrated by the protagonist, an impostor and adventurer named Felix Krull, the son of a ruined Rhineland winemaker. F ...

'' (Director:

Detlev Buck Detlev Buck (; born 1 December 1962 in Bad Segeberg) is a German film director, actor, producer and screenwriter. Life and work Buck made his first short film, ', in 1982, and his first feature, '' Karniggels'', in 1991. He often makes cameo a ...

), Cinema *2015: ' (Director: Isabelle Stever), Cinema *2015: ''

: '' (Director: Hartmut Schoen) *2014: ''Tatort: Der sanfte Tod'' (Director: Alexander Adolph) *2012: ''Tatort Doppelfolge – Wegwerfmädchen/ Das goldene Band'' (Director: Franziska Meletzky) *2010: ''Schicksalsjahre'' (Director: Miguel Alexandre) *2008: ''Tatort: Salzleiche'' (Director: Christiane Balthasar) *2007: ''Tatort: Wem Ehre gebührt'' (Director:

Angelina Maccarone Angelina Maccarone is a German film director and writer. Personal life Angelina Maccarone was born in Pulheim, Pulheim, Germany, 1965. A child of immigration, she is the daughter of an Italian father - who was also a guest worker - and a German ...

) *2007: ' (Director:

Marcus H. Rosenmüller Marcus H. Rosenmüller is a German film director and screenwriter. He wrote and directed the films '' Grave Decisions'', ' and directed ', ' and '. Selected filmography * '' Grave Decisions'' (2006) * ' (2006) * ' (2007) * ' (2008) * ' (2008 ...

), Cinema *2007: ''Tatort: '' (Director: Michael Gutmann) *2006: '' March of Millions'' (''Die Flucht'', director: Kai Wessel) *2005: ''Tatort: Pauline'' (Director: Niki Stein) *2005: ''Tatort: Schwarzes Herz'' (Director: Thomas Jauch) *2005: ''Tatort: Atemnot'' (Director: Thomas Jauch) *2004: ''Tatort: Märchenwald'' (Director: Christiane Balthasar) *2004: ''Tatort: Dunkle Wege'' (Director: Christiane Balthasar) *2003: ''Tatort: Sonne und Sturm'' (Director: Thomas Jauch) *2003: ''Tatort: Heimspiel'' (Director: Thomas Jauch) *2003: ''Mr. und Mrs. Right'' (Director: Torsten C. Fischer) *2002: ''Zu nah am Feuer'' (Director: Dietmar Klein) *2002: ''So fühlt sich Liebe an'' (Director: Peter Gersina) *2002: ''Tatort: Hexentanz'' (Director: René Heisig) *2001: ''

Donna Leon Donna Leon (; born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. The novels are written in English and have been translated into many forei ...

: In Sachen Signora Brunetti'' (Director:

Sigi Rothemund Siegfried Rothemund (14 March 1944 – 13 January 2024) was a German film director. He directed more than ninety films since 1964. He is the father of Marc Rothemund who is also a film director. Rothemund was married to the actress Margit Geissle ...

) *2001: ''Tatort: Lastrumer Mischung'' (Director: Thomas Jauch) *2000: ''Das Glück ist eine Insel'' (Director: Gloria Behrens) *1999: ''Die achte Todsünde: Gespensterjagd'' (Director: Stephan Meyer) *1999: ''Dir zu Liebe'' (Director: Hans Werner) *1999: '' Siska – Mord frei Haus'' (Director: Hans-Jürgen Tögel) *1998: ''Kap der guten Hoffnung'' (Director: Vera Loebner) *1998: ''

Der Fahnder ''Der Fahnder'' is a German television crime drama series which was aired between 1984 and 2005. In the Netherlands, the series was broadcast by the VARA from 3 October 1985. Plot The first title character of the series was the investigator ...

'' (Director: Peter Adam) *1997: ''Kap der guten Hoffnung'' (Director: Hans Werner) *1997: ''Herzflimmern'' (Director: Dieter Kehler) *1996: ''Das Haus an der Küste'' (Director: Dieter Kehler) *1996: ''Herz über Kopf'' (Director: Hans-Jürgen Tögel) *1994: ''Drei Frauen und (k)ein Mann'' (Director: Hans-Jürgen Tögel) *1986/90: ''

Die glückliche Familie Die, as a verb, refers to death, the cessation of life. Die may also refer to: Games * Die, singular of dice, small throwable objects used for producing random numbers Manufacturing * Die (integrated circuit), a rectangular piece of a semicondu ...

'' (Director:

Nikolai Müllerschön Nikolai Müllerschön (sometimes credited as Niki Müllerschön) is a German film Writer/Director. He was born in 1958 in Stuttgart, West Germany and moved to Munich in 1968. He has lived in Los Angeles since 1992. He started as a stills photogr ...

u.a.) *1974: ''Goodbye with Mums'' (Director: Florian Furtwängler), Cinema

References

* Silke Burmester: "'F' wie Furtwängler." ''

taz Taz or TAZ may refer to: Geography *Taz (river), a river in western Siberia, Russia *Taz Estuary, the estuary of the river Taz in Russia People * Taz people, an ethnic group in Russia ** Taz language, a form of Northeastern Mandarin spoken by ...

'', 28 September 2006, p. 18

* Sven Astheimer: "Die Freundin der kühlen Blonden." '' Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, FAZ'', 30 September 2006, p. C3

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Furtwangler, Maria German television actresses Physicians from Munich 1966 births Burda family Living people Actresses from Munich Recipients of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 20th-century German actresses 21st-century German actresses 21st-century German physicians 21st-century German women physicians 20th-century German physicians 20th-century German women physicians

Maria Maria may refer to: People * Mary, mother of Jesus * Maria (given name), a popular given name in many languages Place names Extraterrestrial * 170 Maria, a Main belt S-type asteroid discovered in 1877 * Lunar maria (plural of ''mare''), large, ...