Lotto fairy Karin Tietze-Ludwig: A life between strokes of fate and hope

Lotto fairy Karin Tietze-Ludwig: A life between strokes of fate and hope

Karin Tietze-Ludwig, known as the “Lotto Fairy”, will celebrate an impressive life in 2025 that is characterized by challenges and successes. The 83-year-old became known over three decades for her presentation of the lottery draw on television. On January 17, 1998, the charming presenter said goodbye to the screen public at the age of 56 to spend more time with her family. Her resignation marked the end of an era, but at the same time the beginning of a new phase in her life.

After retiring from television, Tietze-Ludwig fulfilled her dream of traveling the world together with her husband Hans-Jürgen Tietze, who died in 2001. The two had big plans, but had to cancel a final trip to Asia due to Hans-Jürgen's health restrictions. After his death, Tietze-Ludwig withdrew from the public eye, but eventually found joy and courage to live again.

The fight against cancer

A serious turning point in her life was the diagnosis of breast cancer in 1998, which was discovered by chance. Tietze-Ludwig describes this illness as the biggest crisis of her life and speaks openly about it today. She emphasizes that she might not have survived if the cancer had not been detected in time. In an interview, she explained how important it is to talk about such challenges to give others hope.

She managed to return to the screens in 2007 when she appeared again as “Lottofee” in a Sat.1 show. The joy of reunion was great and fans were thrilled to see their former presenter again. She also appeared on the red carpet in 2024 with her successor, Franziska Reichenbacher, and thus found a new place in the public eye.

A varied way of life

Karin Tietze-Ludwig was born in Biedenkopf, Central Hesse, and began her professional career as a foreign language secretary. She originally wanted to become a stewardess, but her father rejected this. Instead, she took acting and speaking classes and ended up working for Hessischer Rundfunk television in 1964, where she made a career as an announcer.

From 1967 to 1971 she worked as a presenter for the lottery draw, which she moderated alone from 1971 until her last broadcast in January 1998. In addition to her work as a lottery fairy, she was also active in other German television formats, including hosting the preliminary rounds for the Eurovision Grand Prix. She has also worked for the Faber Lotto service since 1998 and remains a well-known face in the industry.

Karin Tietze-Ludwig is the mother of a son and now lives in Karben near Frankfurt am Main. Her career and life story are an inspiring example of how to stay strong despite setbacks and challenges.