The 95-year-old actress plays, sings and talks as if it were natural to still be on stage at this age. Waltraut Haas’ birthday party on the dinner stage at the Schönbrunner Stöckl in Vienna reflects her path in life in a certain way: from the tavern to the big theater. During the Second World War, Haas grew up where the guests gathered in her honor and listened spellbound to “Hasi” – as she is called by many. Instead of the stage hall connected to the restaurant, her mother’s apartment, who ran the inn at the time, was in the same place.
Waltraut Haas turns 95
Waltraut Haas is and will always be “Mariandl” in the hearts of Austrians: this role in her debut film “Der Hofrat Geiger” in 1947 alongside Hans Moser was to have an inseparable impact on her career. Waltraut Haas celebrated her 95th birthday on Thursday.
“It was bad, there was nothing, not even food, but mom made it,” Haas remembers. She roams narratively through the years and decades – also alongside the film greats of the time. She sings about some of them, such as her discoverer and sponsor Hans Moser. He hired her in 1947 for the role of the Wachau girl “Mariandl” in the local film “Der Hofrat Geiger”, for which Haas also shot in Emmersdorf an der Donau (Melk district).
She particularly enjoys describing the situations of the men in her life – from Moser to Johannes Heesters to Peter Alexander. According to Haas, she had a very deep friendship with Alexander. However, it wasn’t like that from the start, “because he always believed that everything was for him and that he was the most important thing. He was too, but he didn’t have to show it like that! I didn’t like that.” Haas says with a mischievous laugh, the love scenes were not difficult for the two of them, the film kisses were “all real. I always really kissed Peter”.
95 years of life made Haas calm
noe.ORF.at: You once said that the Wachau has become your second home. Where do you feel at home: in Vienna or in the Wachau?
Waltraut Haas: The Wachau is at the top because I experienced so much there. But my home is Vienna, where I have many friends who visit me. I like being at home, and I’m never alone.
noe.ORF.at: Are you in big company on your birthday? Do you like celebrating your birthdays?
Haas: I don’t like to celebrate them, but it’s part of life.
noe.ORF.at: Anyone who is 95 years old has experienced a lot – both personally and historically. Does that make you more serene in times of a pandemic and a new war in Europe?
Hass: Yes, that’s right! Because you know that good times will come again. It can’t always be bad.
noe.ORF.at: Looking back, would you do anything differently in your life today?
Hass: No, not really. I’m grateful that it happened, that I’m fine, that I have a nice job and good friends. So what more do I want?
noe.ORF.at: In an interview you once said that your recipe for success lies in always remaining true to yourself and following your heart in your decisions. Are you staying?
Haas: That’s certainly possible. If I said it like that, then it must be true. (laughs) Yes, I still see it that way today.
Waltraut Haas turns 95
Waltraut Haas is and will always be “Mariandl” in the hearts of Austrians: this role in her debut film “Der Hofrat Geiger” in 1947 alongside Hans Moser was to have an inseparable impact on her career. Waltraut Haas celebrated her 95th birthday on Thursday.
noe.ORF.at: Many actors who were successful in certain roles at a young age, such as Romy Schneider as Sisi, have spent their lives trying to distance themselves from these roles again. It seems as if the Mariandl is still alive in you.
Haas: Yes, but I don’t always use it. I love this role, but if I don’t play it again, I don’t have to be sad either. I’ve played many, many good other roles.
noe.ORF.at: Men have played a major role in your life – we didn’t just know that since your second biography. You have repeatedly emphasized, “I love beautiful men”. Is that still the case at 95?
Hass: Yes! And even old men can be very beautiful if they are beautiful inside and at heart. I love that very much! For example, I loved Hans Moser very much, who was an old man. Many called him a Grant shard, for me he was the opposite. He always said to me: “Darling, come here and give me a kiss!” Hans Moser was always a substitute father for me, an absolute substitute father. He loved me dearly and I loved him dearly.
noe.ORF.at: What would you like for your 95th birthday?
Haas: I wish I didn’t get very sick and die from this disease.