Apr 02, 2026
3 min read
Karin Thaler was in front of the camera as "Marie Hofer" for "Rosenheim Cops" for almost 25 years.About her biography "Strong, because I had to be strong - the double role of my life," the actress opened up in a way she rarely does.In an interview with AZ, the 60-year-old talks about her mother's gambling addiction, her great love - and reveals what's next for "Rosenheim Cops".
Rosenheim Police star Karen Thaler on romance with co-star: 'It made me feel good'
"Living with a smile on and off - but today is real," is how "Rosenheim Police" star Karin Thaler (60) sums up her memories.His book "I Should Have Been Strong - The Double Role of My Life" (Knaur Verlag) will be published on April 1st.The actress, who lives with her husband Miloč Malečević (58) in Unterfering, a small village on the Slovenian coast, told AZ about her mother's gambling addiction and why she doesn't have a relationship with her children.
Karen Taylor: Cinta Berger and her husband found me
AZ: Miss Thaler, we now have your letter in our hands; Senta Berger is still dead on his back.There are also legends about him...
Karin Thaler: Senta and her husband, Michael Verhoeven, passed away, unfortunately, in 1986 and found me.I saw her at the tram stop in Grunwald and she was so beautiful that I was attracted to her.Then I wrote him a letter, telling him I admired him and asking for his advice as a young actor.I gave the address: Senta Berger, Grunwald.Imagine: two weeks later, she answered me and invited her husband to star in the TV movie "Gundam's Father", and I immediately got the main role.Also, Senta brought me to her agent, Karla Rehm, and I went to one of Germany's leading acting agencies and my career grew steadily. We keep in touch, she's a really lovely person.
Karin Thaler: "My mother was a good person, but sick"
It's great that you have the courage to write his letter.This is a good motivational message.
Dare, be bold, it can't be more than no!So I also hope that my book will be seen as encouraging.The big message I want to convey is: forgive and forgive others and above all yourself.This was the beginning of healing for me. My mother Hedwig, who is mentioned in this article, meant no harm, she was a really good, loving person, but she was sick, with manic-depressive disorder and a gambling addiction.I became strong because I had to be strong.But not strict, on the contrary, I am probably the softest and most sensitive person and I try not to offend anyone by judging.In our country Deggendorf, where I come from, we were always the center of attention and everyone pointed at us, especially because of my father Hannes, who was not around much, he always had other women and was never a father to me.But I hold no grudge against him and I have also forgiven him.
Gambling addiction: Karin Thaler was keeping a family secret
To go a little deeper: His mother embezzled huge sums of money twice to fund his gambling addiction and even went to jail after we failed.He helped him again and again, even sponsored him for six figures, arranged all the film work, and helped his mother day and night.
From childhood I felt responsible for my mother, she was my true love and I just wanted her to be okay.On the outside I was always beaming and smiling, but on the inside I often cried.During the filming, they always said: "Here is our sun." Anyway, my mother kept inventing new lies, she was very manipulative, she constantly calmed me down and at the same time ended up more and more guilt in our whole environment.And I considered it my mission to be by her side, I covered the family secret from the outside world and even then I followed in my mother's footsteps; white lies, half truths, sugar coating to protect us and protect our face.
Karin Thaler quote: "Fight and keep fighting!"
You only experienced the full extent of your gambling addiction after your mother died four years ago
Yes!During the cleaning, we found his notes, his life story, called "My Other Life", where he described everything in detail.When I read this I felt like an idea had been planted in my head!I discussed it with my loved ones and at some point I decided to write a book with the whole truth.A book full of love and appreciation, but also facts and my feelings.Maybe also to help life for others!Motto: fight and keep fighting!But I also wanted to correct my own clean image, namely that I was not born with a golden spoon and my life was not always perfect as many people think!I have always worked very hard and have appeared in more than 100 TV productions and series.When I held the finished book in my hands, I was happy as a schnitzel. My ghostwriter Carina Heer and I ended up working on it for eleven months and working on a chapter together every month.I was afraid of every first conversation, I said everything except the sexual details (laughs).I was and am proud, I was relieved, I smelled the book and held it close to me.
After her death: Karin Thaler "forgave and forgave" her mother
how are you today
Today I think of my mother with love.I let go, forgave and forgave myself.I still have a high energy level and I smile a lot as they say in Bavaria.And I rediscovered my inner child, I try to protect with everything I have, I will no longer let toxic people get close to me or poison anything.I want to be the most dear to me, to do me good!The message to young women is to love yourself I want to contribute.In this my mother always encouraged me and because of that I was able to handle everything well.
About her childhood: "My mother is pure love"
Mom always said: "You're the biggest, the prettiest, the smartest, the others can pack when you come."When you hear it over and over for decades, you either believe it or notMy mother was pure love, we hugged and kissed a lotOf course, I wanted everything to be different, because I have been taking care of them for more than 20 yearsBut my mother also showed what power love has!
"Amazing boy": Karin Thaler on her affair with Sascha Hehn
Which: In his biography he also reveals several issues, including his second great love.This includes his co-star Sascha Hehn, with whom he also made the film "An Angel for Felix" in 1992.
My mother and friend Tine said at the time: "Sasha Hen is a wonderful person, you will always love her!"I laughed and said, "No."But one look from him is enough, I was very surprised (laughs).A year and a half with Sasha was a good time for me after my first sad love.He boosted my self-esteem, I liked him, and he liked me!Now we are out of touch and I don't have his phone number.
Much love: This is Milos, Karin Thaler's husband.
To your true love, musician Miloš Malešević, whom you married civilly in 1997 and again in 2019 in a romantic ceremony in the Maldives.
The saying goes: in good times and bad.We started with the bad!The first few years were characterized by existential fears and worries, we had to give up a lot, we couldn't travel, we rarely went out to eat, we couldn't buy anything.There was love and desire.He was a real, genuine person who saved me, sometimes even from myself. When my mother's situation came to me, I wanted to give up my job, my marriage, everything.But Milos fought and did not allow himself to be pushed away.His love is stronger than anything else!Later he once said: "It's all about money!"Milos always works, he is reliable and smart, he knows how to make me happy.At work I am strong, but in my personal life I want to be a woman and be protected.
Karin Thaler has no children: "You decide, it's your body!"
Maybe because of the time you spent with your mother, you subconsciously never wanted to have children of your own?
Sure!I was always very selfish - when it got easier, I couldn't imagine giving it my all again.Which I certainly would have done, because that's the kind of guy I am.But then I thought to myself: it's my turn, it's my time, I want to be free, I want to be easy, and I don't have to be responsible anymore.My husband once went through a phase where he wanted a baby, but then he said, "You decide, it's your body!"
As "Marie Hofer": This is how things go with "Rosenheim Cops".
What's next in the hit ZDF series "The Rosenheim Cops" with you as farmer and city councilor "Marie Hofer"?
From mid-April we will film 24 new episodes.In general I snap a little, but the viewer doesn't see it at all (laughs).I'm still in contact with Marisa Burger; we spoke on the phone a few days ago.I'm happy to see what will happen next, Sarah Thonig inherits a lot from him as the secretary of the police station, and she is also a famous person.I think it was smart of the production to bring in an insider from the series.And I'll bother myself a little, as long as they want me and as long as I like to look at myself!Well
Can you tell us your personal conclusion?
I am thankful that we did it and now we can buy a small apartment by the sea in Miloš's house in Slovenia.We spend as much time there as possible, taking the boat out and fishing.It's Easter, when it's 15 degrees I'm going to the sea.When I dive, all the pressure disappears from me and I learn to enjoy the moment... I am a persistent and honest soul, I have been in front of the camera for 40 years and for 25 years "Rozenheim" In Polislari, I have lived with Milos for more than 30 years and with my best friend Tine, with me for more than 50 years. guardian angel.I like my life now.
- Michael Verhoeven
