Born in 1955. Married with 4 children.

At the age of 13 I spent half a year in France (Gymnase Jean Sturm in Strasburg), and several terms at a boarding school in Yorkshire/England (Silcoates School in Wakefield). Came back to Germany well before sitting my Abitur exams. Right after graduation from high school (Abitur) spent all summer in England. Repeatedly returned to England for language and other studies. In 76/77 spent a winter term studying in Poitiers, France.

Have worked as a freelance translator and interpreter since 1980, first in Mannheim; in 1983 moved to Ratingen and finally to Essen in 1986.