Austria mourns Erni Mangold, hailed as “one of the greatest actresses of our time”

Austria is mourning Erni Mangold, who died at 99 and was remembered by political and cultural figures as an exceptional actress with a distinctive presence.

President Alexander Van der Bellen said Mangold had been an actress in theatre and film, a teacher and a role model. He described her as an artist who remained young, energetic, curious and forthright, and said Austria had lost an unmistakable character and a strong, self-determined woman.

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Almost a century old, Erni Mangold has died today. Erni Mangold was so many things, an actress in theatre and film, a teacher and a role model. In an inexplicable way, she was always young, full of energy, curious and forthright. Austria is losing an unmistakable character and a strong, self-determined woman.

Chancellor Christian Stocker called her "one of the greatest personalities in Austrian cultural history" and said she had embodied the soul of Austrian film while giving the country’s acting a new dimension. Vice Chancellor and Culture Minister Andreas Babler said she had shaped stage, film and television for decades and always followed her own path.

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With Erni Mangold, we are losing one of the greatest personalities in Austrian cultural history. She embodied the soul of Austrian film and gave Austrian acting a new dimension.

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig said the city and Austria had lost "one of the greatest actresses of our time." He highlighted her presence, intensity and conviction, as well as her role as an uncompromising voice for justice. Other tributes emphasized her directness, humor, independence and refusal to be defined by age. Senior Citizens’ Association president Ingrid Korosec noted that Mangold continued working, teaching, acting and speaking out for decades, and still appeared on stage at 90.

Vienna’s culture councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler also praised Mangold’s work as a teacher, saying she inspired several generations of actors. Across the tributes, Mangold emerged as both a major performer and a strong-minded personality who left a lasting mark on Austria’s performing arts.

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With Erni Mangold, Vienna and Austria are losing one of the greatest actresses of our time, an artist of extraordinary presence, intensity and conviction.