Austrian author Monika Helfer dies after fall

Austrian author Monika Helfer died unexpectedly at age 78 after a fall, her publisher, Hanser Verlag, announced. The Munich-based publisher stated that Helfer's death was sudden.

"Monika Helfer made the world more vibrant with her direct, clear, truthful literature. With her death, we lose beauty," said Hanser publisher Jo Lendle.

Helfer's literary works garnered numerous accolades. In 2020, she received the Angelus Literature Prize in Poland, worth approximately 35,000 euros, for her novel "Die Bagage." The following year, she was awarded the Carl Zuckmayer Medal of Rhineland-Palatinate for her contributions to the German language and artistic expression. In 2016, she received the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, First Class.

Born in Austria, Helfer grew up in Vorarlberg and had four children. She was married to author Michael Köhlmeier since 1981, and they had two children together. Her novels frequently delved into complex family dynamics. "Die Bagage," which brought Helfer wider recognition, tells the story of two grandparents and their children. This was followed by "Vati" (2021), which was shortlisted for the German Book Prize, and "Löwenherz" (2022). These three novels form a family trilogy.