Austria mourns the loss of Waltraut Haas: A film legend has gone!

Austria mourns the loss of Waltraut Haas: A film legend has gone!

Wien, Österreich - Waltraut Haas died on April 23, 2025 in Vienna at the age of 97. Her family announced that she died in the early morning hours and that a silent farewell is planned in the closest family circle. Haas, known for her role as Mariandl, was an icon of Austrian film and enjoyed great popularity over generations. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner commented on the death of Haas and praised her joie de vivre, warmth and modesty.

The acting art by Waltraut Haas was admired by many Austrians. She achieved celebrity through her appearances in films such as "Mariandl", "The Hofrat Geiger" and "in the White Rössl". Haas is described as an outstanding ambassador for Lower Austria and the Wachau. Mikl-Leitner, who visited Haas shortly before Christmas, was impressed by her energy, humor and optimism.

an impressive career

Waltraut Haas was born in Vienna on June 9, 1927 and grew up in a hotelier family. Her career began in 1947 with the debut film "Hofrat Geiger", alongside Hans Moser. In total, she made around 70 films, with her role as a Mariandl being crucial for her career. Haas, who initially attended a household school at the request of her mother, finally completed the conservatory for performing art in Vienna and developed into a popular actress.

Your theater career started on various stages, including the Linz State Theater and the Raimund Theater. Special mentors such as Paul Hörbiger and Curd Jürgens helped her to gain a foothold in the film world. In addition to "Mariandl", her best -known films also include "Mariandl's return home", "Hello duty" and "Little dizziness on Lake Wolfgang". In addition, she was also active as a singer and published several records, including "in the White Rössl" and "Wiener Songs". 

a lasting inheritance

Haas remained connected to the theater stage until old age and appeared, among other things, at the waking games in Weißenkirchen. Her last appearances took place in 2020 in the production "Happiness is a Vogerl". In 2018 she also published her memories of life in the book "Now I say it", in which she tells about her experiences with Hollywood stars and her life with her husband Erwin Strahl. Together they had a son, Marcus Strahl.

For her merits, Haas was honored with several awards, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 2003 and the Golden Viennese honor of honor 2010. Her career and talent contributed decisively to the development of Austrian film, which, since his beginning in the 1890s, was shaped by numerous heights and depths, and alternate between home films and international productions. Haas' life was therefore inextricably linked to the history of Austrian film [Wikipedia] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96 Austria_Filmichte).

The Governor Mikl-Leitner speaks her condolences to the family and the friends of Waltraut Haas and emphasizes that her memory should be kept in honor.