Nicole Belstler-Boettcher: From Marienhof to the Dschungelcamp
Berlin, 26 January 2026 – German actress Nicole Belstler-Boettcher, best known to television audiences for her long-running role in the ARD soap opera “Marienhof”, is preparing for her latest challenge: the 19th season of RTL’s reality show “Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!” (the German Dschungelcamp). The 62-year-old performer, who comes from a distinguished acting family, brings decades of stage and screen experience to the jungle arena.
A Theatrical Heritage
Born Marnie-Nicole Belstler-Boettcher on 6 March 1963 in West Berlin, she is the daughter of acclaimed actress Grit Boettcher and television editor Wolfgang Belstler. Immersed in the performing arts from childhood, she initially pursued academic studies in Germanistics and art history before training as an actress under Käthe Jaenicke from 1991 to 1994. Her early career included work behind the camera as a freelance editor for Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) before she transitioned fully to performance.
Breakthrough with Marienhof
Belstler-Boettcher achieved nationwide recognition through her portrayal of teacher Sandra Behrens in the popular ARD daily soap “Marienhof”. She played the role intermittently from 1995 until the series ended in 2011, becoming a familiar face in German households. This defining role established her television career, which expanded to include guest appearances in numerous other productions.
Key Facts & Career Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 March 1963 in Berlin |
| Notable Role | Sandra Behrens in “Marienhof” (1995-2011) |
| Other TV Work | “Tatort”, “Das Traumschiff”, “In aller Freundschaft”, “SOKO” series |
| Theatre Debut | 1989 in “Jetzt nicht, Liebling” at Komödie Frankfurt |
| Moderation | VIVA Zwei (1995-1996) |
| Voice Work | Big Mom in “One Piece” (German dub) |
| Reality TV | “Promi Big Brother” (2018), “Ich bin ein Star…” (2026) |
| Personal | Mother of two daughters, Lesja and Thalia; grandmother |
Diverse Career Across Media
Beyond her television work, Belstler-Boettcher has maintained an active theatre career since her 1989 debut. She has performed in venues across Germany, including the Komödie im Bayerischen Hof in Munich and the Contra-Kreis-Theater in Bonn. Her filmography extends to crime series like “Tatort”, medical dramas like “In aller Freundschaft”, and family entertainment like “Das Traumschiff”. Since 2017, she has also provided the German voice for the character Big Mom in the anime series “One Piece”.
Reality Television Journey
The actress first ventured into reality television in 2018 as a contestant on the sixth season of “Promi Big Brother”, where she was eliminated in the third round. Her participation in the 2026 Dschungelcamp represents a more significant commitment to the genre. In interviews preceding the show, she expressed motivation to demonstrate that “a woman over 60 can certainly keep up” and to make her children proud. She has also been vocal about age representation in German television, noting that “we unoperated women over 60 are gladly forgotten in German television.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nicole Belstler-Boettcher known for?
She is best known for playing Sandra Behrens in the long-running ARD soap opera “Marienhof” from 1995 to 2011, a role that made her a household name in Germany.
Is she related to other famous Germans?
Yes, she is the daughter of respected actress Grit Boettcher, known for her work in film, television and theatre since the 1950s.
What other television work has she done?
Beyond “Marienhof”, she has appeared in numerous German television staples including multiple “Tatort” episodes, “Das Traumschiff”, “In aller Freundschaft”, various “SOKO” series, and “Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten”.
When does the Dschungelcamp 2026 start?
RTL’s “Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!” begins its 19th season in spring 2026, with daily broadcasts on RTL and RTL+.