Katia and Thomas Mann were married for 50 years from 1905 to 1955 when Thomas died. Katia proudly tells off the fact that they were separated only for one day during those 50 years. All his literary accomplishments took place in that period, as well as their exile from Germany in the United States and then their return to Europe to live in Kilchberg near Zurich. Katia, née Pringsheim, was a witness to all his writing and guarded him from interruptions through the years while he was at work. She was a well educated, bright and cheerful woman, mother of six gifted children - Erika, Klaus, Golo, Monika, Elisabeth and Michael. In this conversation with Elisabeth von Plessen, Katia describes their life in vivid detail and reveals the backgrounds to many of his important writings. Filmed in her home in Kilchberg in 1969.

 

with the participation of

Erika Mann and Golo Mann