Désirée Nosbusch celebrates her 60th birthday, reflecting on her nearly five-decade career in entertainment, starting as a child host at Radio Luxembourg. She became a prominent figure in 1980s German television but faced personal struggles, including a tumultuous relationship with her manager. After studying acting in New York, she returned to prominence, winning a Grimme Prize for her role in ‘Bad Banks’. Now a director, her film ‘Poison – Eine Liebesgeschichte’ is set to premiere shortly after her birthday.
A Remarkable Journey: Désirée Nosbusch’s 60th Birthday
Celebrating her 60th birthday, Désirée Nosbusch reflects on nearly five decades in the entertainment industry. Born in 1965 in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, she showcased her linguistic prowess by hosting at Radio Luxembourg at the tender age of 12. This early achievement propelled her to become one of the most recognizable teen icons of the 1980s. While early fame opened many doors, Nosbusch has candidly shared the tumultuous challenges that accompanied her rise to stardom.
From Discovery to Stardom
Désirée Nosbusch’s journey began when she caught the attention of the legendary Frank Elstner, a pivotal figure in Radio Luxembourg’s programming during the 60s and 70s. In an interview with ‘Zeit Magazin’, she recounted how she and a school friend auditioned for a children’s show, leading Elstner to request her contact information. “Three weeks later, I was asked to interview Pierre Brice for the children’s program, and six months later, I had my own show,” she recalled.
By the early 1980s, Nosbusch emerged as the first young female presenter in German television history, hosting beloved youth programs like ‘Hits von der Schulbank’, ‘Hits mit Désirée’, and ‘Musicbox’ on ZDF. Her bold and cheeky presentation style was groundbreaking, especially in an era dominated by the likes of Dieter Thomas Heck’s ‘Hitparade’. She quickly ascended to pop star status, receiving adoration from fans featured in ‘Bravo’.
The Dark Side of Fame
However, as revealed in her interviews and her 2022 autobiography ‘Endlich noch nicht angekommen’, her early success was not without its perils. Nosbusch became involved in a complex relationship with her manager, Georg Bossert, who was 26 years her senior. She described this relationship as fraught with manipulation and abuse. “This man raped me. I didn’t want it, and I didn’t know what love was,” she disclosed in her autobiography. “We were certainly never a couple. It was years full of torment.” It took her until 1990 to liberate herself from Bossert’s influence.
Her image as the innocent TV star began to deteriorate in 1981, influenced by Bossert. Making her acting debut in the film ‘Nach Mitternacht’ (1981), Nosbusch’s decision to appear nude sparked controversy and resulted in the loss of contracts with her station. “I was 16. Everything happened so quickly that I felt controlled by others; I couldn’t say yes or no anymore,” she reflected. Following this setback, she faced more scrutiny with her role in the horror film ‘Der Fan’ (1982), where her character’s gruesome actions shocked audiences.
A New Chapter in New York City
To escape the chaos, Nosbusch moved to New York City at the age of 16 to pursue acting studies for four years. She made a striking return to television in 1984, unexpectedly hosting the ‘Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson’ (now known as the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’). Her proficiency in multiple languages, including Luxembourgish, German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish, played a crucial role in her successful comeback, reigniting her hosting career across Europe.
Throughout the following years, she showcased her acting prowess in series like ‘Ein Fall für zwei’ and ‘Praxis Bülowbogen’, and participated in light-hearted comedies such as ‘A.D.A.M.’ and ‘Ex und hopp – Ein böses Spiel um Liebe, Geld und Bier’. It wasn’t until after the millennium that Nosbusch embraced more complex roles.
A Triumphant Return with ‘Bad Banks’
Désirée Nosbusch achieved a significant milestone in 2019 when she received the prestigious Grimme Prize for her portrayal of a savvy investment banker in the drama series ‘Bad Banks’. In her conversation with ‘Zeit Magazin’, she expressed her elation, stating, “For the first time in my life, I feel that I am receiving recognition for the thing I always wanted to stand up for.” Now, she shares valuable insights with her two grown children, both of whom are pursuing music careers, encouraging them to “believe in your dream.”
Nosbusch candidly reflected on her career’s ups and downs, admitting that many offers did not align with her aspirations. “I turned down many offers… There was always fear in me of repeating myself,” she shared.
Embracing Creative Freedom
In 2011, after completing a directing course, Nosbusch founded her own film production company, ‘Deal Productions’, opening new avenues for her creativity. Following her success with ‘Bad Banks’, she made her directorial debut with ‘Poison – Eine Liebesgeschichte’, a poignant relationship drama that premiered at the 41st Munich Film Festival in July 2024 and received acclaim from critics. On January 30, just days after her 60th birthday, her eagerly anticipated film will be released nationwide in cinemas.