Actress Nicole Belstler-Boettcher Set for Dschungelcamp 2026 After Criticising TV Ageism
MUNICH, 22 January 2026 – German actress Nicole Belstler-Boettcher, best known for her long-running role in the ARD soap ‘Marienhof’, is preparing to enter the Australian jungle as a contestant on RTL’s ‘Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!’. The 62-year-old’s participation comes after she publicly criticised the German television industry for overlooking “unoperated women over 60”.
From Berlin Ballet to Bavarian Soap Star
Born Marnie-Nicole Belstler-Boettcher in West-Berlin on 6 March 1963, her path to acting was influenced by her mother, renowned actress Grit Boettcher. After attending ballet school and studying Germanistics and art history, she began a journalism career with a traineeship at Bayerischer Rundfunk. Her on-screen career started in the late 1980s, but it was her portrayal of teacher Sandra Behrens in ‘Marienhof’ from 1994 to 2011 that made her a household name. She has since appeared in numerous series including ‘Tatort’, ‘In aller Freundschaft’, and ‘Hubert und Staller’.
Key Facts: Nicole Belstler-Boettcher
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, Moderator, Voice Actor |
| Born | 6 March 1963, West-Berlin |
| Famous Role | Sandra Behrens in ‘Marienhof’ (ARD, 1994-2011) |
| Family | Daughter of actress Grit Boettcher; Mother to two daughters, Lesja and Thalia |
| Residence | Lives with mother and brother in Ismaning, near Munich |
| Reality TV | ‘Promi Big Brother’ (2018, 9th place); ‘Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!’ (2026 participant) |
A Foray into Reality Television
Belstler-Boettcher is no stranger to the challenges of reality TV. In August 2018, she participated in the sixth season of ‘Promi Big Brother’, finishing in ninth place. In post-show interviews, she reflected on the experience, citing the “lack of honesty” and gossip among some housemates as the most difficult aspect, but stated she was proud to have remained true to herself. She described the basic ‘construction site’ living conditions as a “fasting cure” that left her feeling healthier.
Driving Motivation: Proving Critics Wrong
In the lead-up to her Dschungelcamp confirmation, Belstler-Boettcher was vocal about the lack of roles for older women in German television. “We unoperated women over 60 are gladly forgotten on German TV,” she told the Abendzeitung. She sees her jungle adventure as a chance to prove a point: “I would definitely try to make my children proud and show that a woman over 60 can certainly keep up.” Her journey to Australia began with minor drama, as her habitual travel supply of cat treats for stray animals was confiscated by strict Australian border controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nicole Belstler-Boettcher’s famous mother?
Her mother is Grit Boettcher, a celebrated German actress known for films like ‘Drei Männer im Schnee’ and the series ‘Ein verrücktes Paar’. The two share a close relationship and live in the same house in Ismaning.
What other work does she do besides acting?
Beyond screen and stage acting, Belstler-Boettcher was the first female presenter on the music channel VIVA Zwei in 1995. She is also a prolific voice actor, notably providing the German voice for the character ‘Big Mom’ in the anime series ‘One Piece’.
Is she married or in a relationship?
Belstler-Boettcher has been separated from the father of her two daughters for many years. She stated in 2021 that she was single, and her current relationship status is not publicly known.
When does the Dschungelcamp 2026 start?
RTL has scheduled the 19th season of ‘Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!’ to begin on 23 January 2026, where Belstler-Boettcher will compete alongside fellow contestants such as Simone Ballack, Mirja du Mont, and Gil Ofarim.