Actress Monika Hansen dies: a loss for the stage

Actress Monika Hansen dies: a loss for the stage

The German actress Monika Hansen, known for her moving performances both on the theater stage and in front of the camera, died on June 26, 2023 at the age of 83. The sad news was confirmed by her daughter, actress Meret Becker, on social media. Meret expressed her emotions and explained that her mother was now free. The farewell causes great pain in the acting world, where colleagues like Katja Riemann and Alexandra Maria Lara remember Hansen and pay tribute to her warmth and kind nature. Jasmin Tabatabai described Hansen as a strong woman who inspired many. Radio Ennepe Ruhr reports that Hansen was born on April 9, 1942 in Berlin and, after graduating from the Otto Falckenberg School in Munich, was seen on renowned stages in Berlin for many years.

Hansen only celebrated her 83rd birthday in April 2025 at the “B.Z. Culture Prize”, where she was in good spirits despite her health restrictions and received a birthday serenade from her children, Meret and Ben Becker. The loss of her mother is also unexpected for the Becker family, especially given the recent celebrations and the positive energy that Hansen exuded. Meret Becker described her mother as “the most beautiful woman in the world” and would like to remember her as a source of inspiration. These sentimental words reflect the close bond between mother and daughter. Hansen is also described on n-tv.de as Pilar of her family, who was often seen in productions with her husband Otto Sander and their children.

The path of an artist

Monika Hansen was not only a talented actress, but also a remarkable personality who shone in both theater and film. Her first major role was in the 1970 film “I Love You, I’ll Kill You”. She also worked with important directors such as Wim Wenders and Margarethe von Trotta, in films such as “Far away, so close!” (1993) and “The Promise” (1994). She also took on numerous guest roles in many classic television crime dramas such as “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf 110”. From 1999, Hansen was seen in the comedy “The Einstein of Sex” together with Otto Sander and their children, which further strengthened the family collaboration.

But it wasn't just her roles that made Hansen special - her deep family ties were a central aspect of her life. After ten years of marriage to actor Rolf Becker, which produced children Ben and Meret, she married Otto Sander in 1985. Tragically, Otto passed away in 2013, but Hansen always remained strong and creatively active. Her last role was in “Rex Gildo – The Last Dance” by Rosa von Praunheim in 2022, which shows that she remained true to her passion for acting until the end. A family friend shared on Instagram that Hansen was now reunited with Otto, which brought comfort to many of her friends.

Monika Hansen will be remembered not only as an artist, but also as a loving mother and loyal friend. Her impressive career and the love she received from her family and friends ensure her a special place in German film and theater history. The gratitude of their companions will always live on in their memories. The world has lost a warm soul, but her films and memories will endure.