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When Ingrid van Bergen became the jungle queen in “I’m a Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here!” in 2009. was chosen, she had long been notorious as an actress in cabaret and theater, in film and television. And unfortunately also for the conviction for manslaughter: On February 3, 1977, she shot her lover Klaus Knaths in her house on Lake Starnberg. Van Bergen had waited a long time for him that evening, was jealous and drunk and argued with his unfaithful boyfriend. She was sentenced to seven years in prison, but was released early in 1981.
Early years and escape
Ingrid van Bergen was born on June 15, 1931 in Gdansk, the daughter of a teacher and a housewife. She had three siblings and grew up in Masuria, where her father was a village school teacher. She was involved with the Association of German Girls with songs and performances in stage plays. Father Fritz died on the first day of the Russian campaign. In 1945, mother Ella fled with the children on the ship “Moltkefels,” which was sunk. The van Bergens were saved; They ended up in Skagen, Denmark, where they stayed until 1948. Metzingen was determined as the future place of residence via a pin.
Rise in German film
Ingrid van Bergen studied at the University of Music in Hamburg, joined the Berlin “Porcupines” and was discovered by Helmut Käutner. In “Des Teufels General” (1955) she was the girl who loves the great Curd Jürgens. She played in “We Wunderkinder” (1958), “The Iron Gustav” (1958) and “Roses for the Public Prosecutor” (1959). At the peak of her career she appeared in films with Robert Mitchum and William Holden, Christopher Lee and Klaus Kinski.
Television, role models and new beginnings
In the 70s, Ingrid van Bergen focused on stereotypical roles in “Derrick”, “Tatort” and television films: she was the elegant blonde with the deep voice.
After her release from prison, Rosa von Praunheim cast her in “Horror vacui” in 1984. She then became a sought-after episode actress in many television series, was also a voice actress and read audio books. She lived in Mallorca for a few years, but returned to Germany in 2001. Ingrid van Bergen lived on a farm in the Lüneburg Heath surrounded by animals, for whose welfare she worked rigorously.
Late years and legacy
Her mission in the jungle remains unforgettable because she asserted herself eloquently, brilliantly and extremely funny under adverse circumstances. In the end she was a star again. She last appeared in a film in 2017.
Now Ingrid van Bergen, whose life was a novel, has died at the age of 94 in her home in Eyendorf.