Overview

• Urte Blankenstein, famed for portraying Frau Puppendoktor Pille on the DDR Sandmännchen from 1968 to 1988, has died at age 81.
• Her son Mathias confirmed she passed away peacefully following a short, severe illness.
• Blankenstein's character provided health and nutrition tips to children, making her a cultural icon in East Germany.
• She continued performing the role in theaters and senior homes well into her eighties, maintaining her connection with audiences across generations.
• Blankenstein once remarked that performing brought her joy and was central to her identity, underscoring her lifelong dedication to her craft.