Christel Bodenstein, Iconic DDR Actress, Dies at 86

The celebrated star of 'Das singende, klingende Bäumchen' passed away on December 5 in a Berlin care home after a prolonged illness.

Christel Bodenstein, best known for her role as Princess Tausendschön in the 1957 DEFA film 'Das singende, klingende Bäumchen,' has died at the age of 86.
She passed away on December 5, 2024, in a Berlin care home, with reports indicating she had been in poor health for some time.
Bodenstein's career spanned decades, with notable roles in theater, television, and film, including collaborations with prominent DDR filmmakers like Konrad Wolf, her first husband.
Her favorite project was the 1966 adaptation of 'The Little Prince,' which aired only once due to rights issues but was later restored to her delight.
Bodenstein's final film role was in 2016, reprising her connection to 'Das singende, klingende Bäumchen' in a new adaptation, marking the end of her storied career.