Elke Sommer Dies in Marloffstein at 85
German actress and international film star Elke Sommer died peacefully at her home in Marloffstein, Germany, just days before her 86th birthday, the German Presse-Agentur reported, citing sources close to the family. Bild first reported the death, noting that she passed away as wished in her residence.
From Viareggio to Hollywood Stardom
Born Elke Schletz in Berlin, her career began unexpectedly in 1958 during a trip to the Italian seaside resort of Viareggio. When a student asked her to dance, the encounter led to her entering and winning the “Miss Viareggio” contest, where her prize was a pair of stockings. An Italian director spotted her photograph in a local newspaper and cast her in a film, prompting her name change to Elke Sommer because Italian speakers struggled to pronounce Schletz. She soon transitioned to international cinema, winning a Golden Globe in 1964 for her role in The Prize and starring alongside actors Paul Newman and Kirk Douglas.
A Career Defined by Film and Painting
Throughout the 1960s, Sommer established herself globally while maintaining distinct ties to German cinema, including her appearance in the 1964 Karl May film Unter Geiern alongside Götz George. She posed twice for Playboy and turned down an offer from the Shah of Persien of an emerald and diamond necklace for a single night, according to historical accounts. Over the decades, she balanced major Hollywood productions with smaller European stage work, such as performing at the Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg in 1999, alongside building a secondary career as a painter.
Elke Sommer died at 85, just months after her husband. Learn more about the ‘A Shot in the Dark’ star’s life, marriages, and Hollywood career.https://t.co/AacpxLCkls
Returning to Frankish Roots
Despite spending winters in Los Angeles, Sommer consistently identified Marloffstein in the Erlangen region of Franconia as her true home. She married New York hotel manager Wolf Walther in Franconia in 1993 and frequently expressed her preference for rural life over urban centers. In recent years, health setbacks slowed her public activity, leading her to remark in a 2025 interview with the magazine Bunte that she felt she had enough. Plans indicate her urn will be buried in Marloffstein alongside her husband, preserving her lifelong connection to the Franconian countryside.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elke Sommer
Where will Elke Sommer be buried?
Her urn is set to be buried in the rural Franconian village of Marloffstein alongside her husband, fulfilling her long-stated wishes to remain tied to her primary home.
What major award did Elke Sommer win?
She won a Golden Globe Award in 1964 for her performance in the film The Prize, which cemented her status as a major international star in Hollywood.
Why did she change her name from Elke Schletz?
She adopted the surname Sommer because Italian directors and crew members in Viareggio could not pronounce Schletz and consistently mispronounced it.
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