Thomas Gottschalk
His sister Raphaela – a versatile career woman
Raphaela Ackermann with daughter Julia
© dpa / Jörg Carstensen / Picture Alliance
Most Germans know entertainer legend Thomas Gottschalk. But his sister – also a TV face – may not be a household name for some people. GALA introduces Raphaela Ackermann in more detail.
Thomas Gottschalk, 73, is one of Germany’s most famous entertainers. But there is another TV face in his family that some people may not have on their radar: Sister Raphaela Ackermann, 63. She has already conducted interviews with stars such as songwriter Kristina Bach, 61, and star violinist David Garrett, 43 red carpet and reinvented itself again in 2020. She is a spitting image of her famous brother – as is her daughter Julia. We introduce the Gottschalk women in more detail.
Thomas Gottschalk: Sister Raphaela has a TV show
Raphaela hasn’t been called Gottschalk for a long time, and yet she is often associated with the well-known name. The native of Kulmbach – a district town in Bavaria – decided in her 50s and after three grown-up children to follow in her brother’s TV footsteps.
Raphaela Ackermann has appeared with her daughter Julia several times in the past at events and red carpets – like here at the “Mon Chéri Barbara Day” in November 2017 in Munich.
© Picture Alliance
She got her own talk show “Raphaela Ackermann”, which was broadcast on the special interest channel “Welt der Wunder TV”. Managing director Hendrik Hey introduced her as the face of the station. In her show, Ackermann had hour-long conversations with prominent guests.
At 57, she woke up professionally
Raphaela Ackermann and Thomas Gottschalk at an award ceremony in 2007, and the siblings still seem to get along well today.
© Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
New career paths as a personality coach
After numerous engagements as a presenter, Ackermann reinvented herself again in 2020. A good four years ago she started out as a personality coach. She would like to teach managers, young entrepreneurs and career starters “charisma and self-confidence”. Your priorities? “Character and impact,” Raphaela explained to “Bild” in 2020.
In personal conversations with her clients, she tries to “establish the connection between heart and head” but also wants to help people who are still at the beginning of their career. “Anyone who feels a deficit is welcome here. I help them to work out their resources,” Gottschalk’s sister continued. Her motto on her own homepage: “Experience yourself in a new way with Raphaela Ackermann”.
Private insights on Instagram – and red carpet appearances with daughter Julia
Ackermann uses her public Instagram channel to provide insights into her private life, for example showing the fantastic view from her house of Lake Ammersee in Bavaria.
Raphaela seems to have a good relationship with her famous brother Thomas Gottschalk. It wasn’t until January 2024 that she shared a photo of the entertainer and her cute Labradoodle. In the summer of 2023, the siblings spent time with their brother Christoph Gottschalk, 71. The 63-year-old also shared a recording of this on social media.
Rare family photo with their children and grandchildren
Daughter Julia can also be found on Raphaela’s Instagram account from time to time. She appeared with her more often at events and on red carpets several years ago, as in 2017. Joint appearances are rather rare these days.
In August 2023, Ackermann shared a family photo with all of her children, their partners and grandchildren. A real rarity and proof that Raphaela is also a big family man – like her famous brother.
Sources used: raphaela-ackermann.de, tz.de, bild.de, instagram.com, picture-alliance.com