The folk music duo Marianne & Michael are currently saying goodbye to the stage. These days Michael will be 75 years old – and has plenty of plans for his “retirement” period.
What happens after the end as a stage couple Marianne & Michael? The folk music star Michael Hartl has a lot planned for his “retirement”: write a children’s book, promote charity projects together with his Marianne, and design his own magazine. Hiking in the mountains, a boat trip in Croatia, looking for mushrooms, setting up a Schafkopf get-together – and above all: time for family and grandchildren. Michael Hartl is currently on a farewell tour with his wife. He will be 75 years old on Monday (March 18).
The native Austrian began his career in the 1970s as “Jodel-Michel” in the renowned Munich Hotel Platzl right next to the Hofbräuhaus. His actual first name, Adolf, didn’t sound good, especially in Munich. During his first appearances in taverns he yodeled as Adi, which became Michel like his father and grandfather, then Michael.
Music was the first connection between Marianne and Michael. Soon after their first meeting on July 17, 1973, they were on stage together – and have been singing and yodeling their way into the hearts of their fans ever since.
The first record was released in 1974
The first record “Rund samma, g’sund samma” was released in 1974. At the end of the 80s, the duo took over the moderation of the shows “Superhitparade der Volksmusik” and “Lustige Musikanten” on ZDF. The broadcasts were later discontinued. Her last ZDF program “Christmas with Marianne and Michael” was broadcast in 2010. The couple received numerous awards, including the Bambi, the Golden Tuning Fork, the Crown of Folk Music and the Golden Hen for life’s work.
After half a century, the two now want to leave the stage. There will be no boredom in the Hartl household. “I’m looking forward to everything that comes to me and us,” said Michael Hartl to the German Press Agency. “The most important thing in my life is love, family, my grandchildren and that we can all grow old healthily.” A big goal for the next few years: “Just enjoy life while we’re still healthy.”
It was almost two years ago to the day that Michael suffered a stroke. Shortly before, Marianne had broken her shoulder. Both have recovered well. But above all, Michael’s stroke showed: “Be careful! Stress is a very important factor,” says his wife Marianne (71). A good reason to consider the end of your career.
New magazine
The calendar is still full. One day after the milestone birthday, a new magazine will appear on newsstands on March 19th, which will bear the couple’s name – Marianne & Michael. The main topics are health, nutrition, sport and joy of life well into old age. Further editions designed by the two of them are to follow.
The farewell tour was supposed to end at the end of April – but due to numerous requests, the duo is planning an encore in the fall with around 20 additional concerts, especially in southern Germany, which has so far been neglected on the tour. “There were so many requests from fans,” says Marianne. “The year 2024 remains a farewell year.”
They are also committed to helping those in need with their association “Frohes Herz”. Next year, the passionate golfers are planning their Lederhosn Cup again with players in traditional costume, the proceeds of which will go to the club. “We also want to organize a charity event this year,” announces Marianne – who always emphasized: “We have been so lucky in life. We want to pass something on.”
Michael wants to write a children’s book
And Michael will sit down to write: writing a children’s book is a long-held dream for him. “I just want to create something new,” says the grandfather of four. “I’ve thought about it ever since I had such great success as a singer, but I just didn’t have the time at the time.” His mother Juliana gave him the idea. “She told endless stories, truths wrapped in fairy tales.”
Despite their fame, the Hartls have remained down-to-earth: salad from their own garden with nine birdhouses, the joy of Frieda the toad who lives there at the well, cooking for themselves – and always going out into nature: that’s an integral part of their life. After the death of their dog Winnie, who accompanied them for 17 years, they wanted a four-legged companion again. However, they put the topic on hold in favor of planned trips such as the boat trip in the spring. “But we can’t walk past any strange dogs,” says Marianne. “We always have a dog treat with us – which the dogs sometimes already know and run towards us.”
The two are also a successful duo in their private lives: two sons, four grandchildren and a dream church wedding four decades after their civil marriage. The recipe for their relationship: “It’s a very respectful relationship. It’s a shared bedroom. It’s cooking together, having breakfast together, sharing interests and hobbies,” says Marianne, who still brings her Michael coffee in bed after 50 years.
Before his big birthday, the family is going to South Tyrol for a few days. How the celebration will take place on Monday remains a surprise. Michael’s greatest wishes, in addition to health for himself and the family: “That peace finally returns to Europe and the whole world. That our youth have a future, that people listen and listen to each other more.”
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