Entertainer. A yodeler and singer, she performed the folk music of southern Germany for around 80 years. Born Maria Neumaier, she began her stage career at five in the Bauer Theatre of her native Reit im Winkl. She apprenticed as a shop assistant while continuing her performing and vocal study; Hellwig lost her husband to combat in World War II, then was to gradually build a career, adding her daughter Margot (born 1941) to the act as time went on. Seldom seen in public save in Alpine folk dress, she was to find her greatest period of success in the 1980s and 1990s when she hosted popular musical shows on German television while recording a number of gold records with such titles as "Das Edelweiss vom Wendelstein", "Servus", and "Gruez und Hallo". Though she had difficulties with her sight from 1996 on, she continued occasional concert and television appearances until shortly before her death from respiratory problems. She left a significant recorded legacy of both studio and "live" performances.
Entertainer. A yodeler and singer, she performed the folk music of southern Germany for around 80 years. Born Maria Neumaier, she began her stage career at five in the Bauer Theatre of her native Reit im Winkl. She apprenticed as a shop assistant while continuing her performing and vocal study; Hellwig lost her husband to combat in World War II, then was to gradually build a career, adding her daughter Margot (born 1941) to the act as time went on. Seldom seen in public save in Alpine folk dress, she was to find her greatest period of success in the 1980s and 1990s when she hosted popular musical shows on German television while recording a number of gold records with such titles as "Das Edelweiss vom Wendelstein", "Servus", and "Gruez und Hallo". Though she had difficulties with her sight from 1996 on, she continued occasional concert and television appearances until shortly before her death from respiratory problems. She left a significant recorded legacy of both studio and "live" performances.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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