Romy Schneider.

Rosemarie Magdalena Albach

Romy Schneider — Actor

Born 23 Sep 1938 Vienna, Austria

Died 29 May 1982 Paris, France

Citizenship France

Would Be 87 yr If Living

13 min read

Reading time

2,573

Words

Mar 7, 2026

Published

107

Film credits

4

Books

1

Award

TL;DR

Romy Schneider, born Rosemarie Magdalena Albach in Vienna in 1938, broke out as Empress Elisabeth in the Sissi trilogy 1955. She later pivoted to dramatic roles in French cinema, winning the inaugural César Award for Best Actress for That Most Important Thing: Love 1975. Her personal life included a passionate affair with Alain Delon, two marriages, and the death of her son in 1981. She died of cardiac arrest in Paris in 1982 at age 43.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Romy Schneider — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Rosemarie Magdalena Albach

Nicknames Puppele

Aliases Romy Albach Retty, Rosemarie Magdalena Schneider, Romy Schneider Albach

PARENTS: Magda Schneider Wolf Albach Retty
SPOUSES: Daniel Biasini Harry Meyen
CHILDREN: Sarah Biasini David Haubenstock

At a glance.

STATS

Romy Schneider by the numbers — life, work, and family.

43 Years lived

107 Film credits

4 Books

1 Award

2 Marriages

2 Children

Who was Romy Schneider?

BIOGRAPHY

Romy Schneider — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age 15, Romy Schneider made her film debut. She was born into a family of actors in Vienna on 23 September 1938, to Magda Schneider and Wolf Albach Retty. Her childhood was spent in Germany and Austria. She graduated from the Goldstein boarding school near Salzburg in 1953. In 1941, during a visit to Hitler’s retreat at Berchtesgaden with her mother, she played with Martin Bormann’s children. After her first movie, her father wrote her a letter: Put your childhood in your pocket and run away.

Career

Her breakthrough came in 1955 with the first Sissi film, playing Empress Elisabeth. In 1958, she starred in Christine, a remake that paired her with Alain Delon; she fell in love and moved to Paris. In Paris, she worked with Luchino Visconti on The Leopard 1963 and Orson Welles on The Trial 1962. Her international career grew, and in 1975 she won the first César Award for Best Actress for That Most Important Thing: Love. She won a second César in 1979 for A Simple Story. She also appeared in The Old Gun 1975 and Purple Noon 1960.

Personal life

She was engaged to Alain Delon from 1959 to 1963. After the engagement ended, she married director Harry Meyen in 1966 and had a son, David-Christopher. The marriage ended in divorce in 1975. Her second marriage to her former secretary Daniel Biasini in 1975 produced a daughter, Sarah, but also ended in divorce. The greatest tragedy of her life was the death of her son David in a fencing accident in July 1981; she never recovered. She struggled with alcohol and depression and died on 29 May 1982 in Paris, officially from cardiac arrest. Her longtime companion Laurent Pétin found her dead in her apartment.

Legacy

In 1999 readers of Le Parisien voted her the greatest actress of all time. She won two César Awards and was nominated posthumously in 2008 for an honorary César. The Prix Romy Schneider has been awarded annually in France since 1984. Pedro Almodóvar’s film All About My Mother 1999 is partially dedicated to her. She remains a lasting presence in French and German cinema, known for her portrayal of Sissi and her dramatic performances.

Filmography.

FILMS · 107

Browse the complete filmography of Romy Schneider — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Northern Exposure

1990
TV

The Merv Griffin Show

1962
TV

The Dick Cavett Show

1968
TV

Champs-Elysées

1982
TV

Bambi

1948
TV

Sacrée Soirée

1987
TV

The Ed Sullivan Show

1948
TV

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

1968
TV

Les Rendez-vous Du Dimanche

1975
TV

Spécial Cinéma

1974
TV

Dilbert

1999
TV

Numéro Un

1975
TV

Cinépanorama

1956
TV

You Rang, M'Lord?

1990

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Romy Schneider — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

César Award for Best Actress

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 4

Romy Schneider's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Ich, Romy

by Romy Schneider
Amazon

Moi, Romy

by Romy Schneider
Amazon

Ich, Romy. Tagebuch Eines Lebens.

by Romy Schneider et al.
Amazon

Briefe an Die Mutter. CD

by Romy Schneider

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 12

A wall of memorable lines from Romy Schneider — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Sissi Sticks to Me Just Like Oatmeal.
Life Must Go On. My Work Gives Me Strength.
Memories Are the Best Things in Life, I Think.
You Must Not Quote to Me What I Once Said. I Am Wiser Now.
I Am Nothing in Life, but Everything on the Screen.
One Can Remain Eternally Young If Each Day, One Grows Rich by Marvelous Moments. I Am Convinced That at the End of My Life, All These Sufferings and All These Joys, the Memories, the Goods Like the Bad Ones, Give Us a Heat Which Resembles Those That Give Us and Which Love Us.
I Cannot Live Without Having a Role to Work.
I Wish to Present Myself in Front of the Camera, Each Time Under the Features of a Different Woman, I Would Like to Live and Apprehend the Problems, the Conflicts, the Feelings and the Impulses of Women Radically Different from Me.
I Am Not Afraid of Nothing in the World. Except Ego.
I Want to Learn, I Want to Develop, I Want to Discover All That Is in Me.
I Have the Feeling That I Was Born in Vienna in Order to Live in Paris. I Want to Be Completely French in the Way I Live, Love, Sleep and Dress.
I’m Afraid of Serious Mistakes. First of All in Life and Then in My Work. There Are Mistakes Which Aren’t Very Serious a Mistake in Doing a Film Which Fails and Which Is Panned by Critics Is Serious but Not Extremely Serious. Failing at Something in My Private Life Is Much More Serious.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Romy Schneider — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

She never overcame the loss of her son, suffering from depression and an alcohol problem after his death.
A favorite of Coco Chanel, she was one of the few clients that Chanel would see personally.
Alain Delon placed a note on her tomb: Tu n’as jamais été aussi belle, tu vois j’ai appris quelques mots allemands pour toi: Ich liebe dich meine Liebe.
Friends with Austrian actor Helmut Berger and French designer Coco Chanel, she often wore Chanel clothes during the 1960s and 1970s.
Engaged to Alain Delon from 1959 to 1963.
Her son David-Christopher David Haubenstock with Harry Meyen died in France on 5 July 1981 after being impaled on a fence.
Good friends with Marlene Dietrich, one of her idols.
Smoked up to three packets of Marlboro cigarettes per day.
Fluent in three languages: native German, French, and English.
Pedro Almodóvar’s film All About My Mother 1999 is partially dedicated to her.
Ranked #1 in a list by German tabloid Bild in 2005 of the 50 most beautiful Germans ever.
Good friend Simone Signoret convinced her to do her last film, The Passerby 1982, after her son’s death.
According to friend Claude Petin, she no longer drank at the time of her death; her cardiac arrest was due to a kidney operation months before.
Her first husband Harry Meyen, a stage director, committed suicide in Hamburg on 15 April 1979.
Her favorite perfume was L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain.
Portrayed on a French postage stamp issued on 3 October 1998.
In 8 Women 2002, a picture of Romy Schneider is shown when Louise mentions her former employer.
The Prix Romy Schneider has been awarded to young actresses by the French movie business since 1984.
Her last longtime companion was Laurent Pétin, who found her dead in her Paris apartment on 29 May 1982.
Her favorite co-star was French actor Michel Piccoli.
Voted the greatest actress of all time by readers of French newspaper Le Parisien in 1999.
In a relationship with Swiss actor Bruno Ganz at the beginning of the 1970s.
After her first movie, her father wrote: Put your childhood in your pocket and run away.
Nicknamed Miss worried.
Close friends with her Sissi co-star Karlheinz Böhm.
Her funeral took place in the Church of Saint-Sébastien in Boissy-sans-Avoir, where she had bought a house a month before her death. She is buried beside her son.
In 1941, during a visit to Hitler’s retreat at Berchtesgaden, she played with Martin Bormann’s children.
On 30 October 1974, her appearance on Je später der Abend made television history when she said to author Burkhard Driest: Sie gefallen mir. Sie gefallen mir sehr.
Pro-choice activist and supporter of the feminist movement.
Mother of Sarah Biasini and David Haubenstock.
Close friends with Yves Montand.
Graduated from the Goldstein boarding school near Salzburg, Austria in 1953.
Ranked #3 in a 2006 survey by German network ZDF for Germany’s all-time favorite actor, the highest ranked woman.
A French telephone card in 1994 featured her image from The Swimming Pool 1969.
Twice César winner for Best Actress in 1976 and 1979, and received a posthumous honorary César in 2008.
She and Pascale Ogier are the only actors to receive a posthumous César nomination, for The Passerby 1982 and Full Moon in Paris 1984 respectively.
Good friends with director Luchino Visconti.
In January 1981, she and Alain Delon were named the actors preferred by the public in a French magazine.
Engaged to Horst Buchholz from 1957 to 1958.
She was considered for the role of Anne Gauthier in A Man and a Woman 1966 but could not agree.
Good friends with German Chancellor Willy Brandt, supporting his policies.
Portrayed by Jessica Schwarz in Romy 2009 and by Marie Bäumer in 3 Days in Quiberon 2018.
Shares birthday with Jean Piat, Ray Charles, Gino Paoli, and Julio Iglesias.
Had a younger brother named Wolfgang Albach-Retty.
Recorded the song Helene with Michel Piccoli for The Things of Life 1970.
Her role in The Grilling 1981 was played by Monica Bellucci in the American remake Under Suspicion 2000.
Best friends with Michel Piccoli.
Portrayed on a 2000 German postage stamp.
Was considered for the title role in Mademoiselle 1966 but the project went to Jeanne Moreau.
Featured on the official poster of the 36th César Awards in 2011.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 45

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Romy Schneider.

When was Romy Schneider born?

Romy Schneider was born on September 23, 1938. She was born in Vienna, Austria to actress Magda Schneider and actor Wolf Albach Retty.
Where was Romy Schneider born?

She was born in Vienna, Austria. Her family had a strong theatrical background.
When did Romy Schneider die?

Romy Schneider died on May 29, 1982. She was 43 years old at the time of her death.
How old was Romy Schneider when she died?

She was 43 years old. She died on May 29, 1982 in Paris, France.
Where did Romy Schneider die?

She died in Paris, France. Specifically in her apartment at rue Barbet-de-Jouy.
How did Romy Schneider die?

She died of cardiac arrest. Although media suggested suicide by overdose, no autopsy was ordered and the official cause was cardiac arrest.
What was Romy Schneider's real name?

Her birth name was Rosemarie Magdalena Albach. She also used the aliases Romy Albach Retty and Rosemarie Magdalena Schneider.
What did Romy Schneider do for a living?

She was an actor and soundtrack artist. She is known for her film roles in German and French cinema.
What nationality was Romy Schneider?

She was a citizen of France. Although born in Austria, she moved to France and became a French citizen.
What languages did Romy Schneider speak?

She was fluent in three languages: her native German, French, and English. Her native language was German.
Who were Romy Schneider's parents?

Her parents were Magda Schneider, an actress, and Wolf Albach Retty, an actor. Both were in the film industry.
Who was Romy Schneider married to?

She was married twice: first to Harry Meyen from 1966 to 1975, then to Daniel Biasini from 1975 to 1981.
Did Romy Schneider have children?

Yes, she had two children: son David Haubenstock with Harry Meyen, and daughter Sarah Biasini with Daniel Biasini.
What awards did Romy Schneider win?

She won the César Award for Best Actress in 1976 for That Most Important Thing: Love and again in 1979 for A Simple Story. She also received a posthumous honorary César in 2008.
How many awards did Romy Schneider win?

She won two competitive César Awards and one honorary César. In total, she received 8 awards and 24 nominations according to some sources.
What is Romy Schneider known for?

She is known for playing Empress Elisabeth in the Sissi trilogy 1955-1957. She also became a celebrated dramatic actress in French cinema.
How tall was Romy Schneider?

She was 5 feet 4 inches tall, or 1.62 meters. This is considered average height for a woman of her era.
What was the origin of Romy Schneider's nickname 'Puppele'?

Her nickname Puppele is a German term of endearment meaning little doll. It was used by her family and close friends.
Why did Romy Schneider use the alias Romy Albach Retty?

She used this alias early in her career, combining her first name with her parents’ surnames. Later she was known professionally as Romy Schneider.
Was Romy Schneider engaged to Alain Delon?

Yes, she was engaged to Alain Delon from 1959 to 1963. They met on the set of Christine in 1958 and she moved to Paris to be with him.
Did Romy Schneider have a relationship with Bruno Ganz?

Yes, she was in a relationship with Swiss actor Bruno Ganz at the beginning of the 1970s. The relationship was private.
What happened to Romy Schneider's son?

Her son David Haubenstock died on July 5, 1981 after being impaled on a fence. He was 14 years old. His death devastated her.
Did Romy Schneider suffer from depression?

Yes, she suffered from depression after her son’s death. She also had an alcohol problem and struggled with her personal life.
How many César Awards did Romy Schneider win?

She won two César Awards for Best Actress: in 1976 for That Most Important Thing: Love and in 1979 for A Simple Story. She also received an honorary César in 2008.
What was Romy Schneider's relationship with Coco Chanel?

She was a favorite of Coco Chanel, who would see her personally. Schneider often wore Chanel clothes during the 1960s and 1970s.
Who found Romy Schneider dead?

Her last longtime companion, Laurent Pétin, found her dead in her Paris apartment on the morning of 29 May 1982.
Is there a postage stamp of Romy Schneider?

Yes, she was portrayed on a French postage stamp issued on October 3, 1998. Also, a German stamp was issued in 2000.
What is the Prix Romy Schneider?

The Prix Romy Schneider is an award given by the French movie business since 1984 to promising young actresses, named in her honor.
Did Romy Schneider appear in American television shows?

Yes, she appeared on The Merv Griffin Show, The Dick Cavett Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show as a guest.
What was Romy Schneider's last film?

Her last film was The Passerby 1982, in which she starred. She was convinced to take the role by her friend Simone Signoret after her son’s death.
Was Romy Schneider a feminist?

Yes, she was a pro-choice activist and supporter of the feminist movement. She was outspoken on women’s rights.
Did Romy Schneider have any siblings?

She had a younger brother named Wolfgang Albach-Retty. He was not in the film industry.
What was Romy Schneider's favorite perfume?

Her favorite perfume was L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain. It is a classic French fragrance.
Who was Romy Schneider's favorite co-star?

Her favorite co-star was French actor Michel Piccoli. They worked together on several films and were close friends.
Was Romy Schneider considered for the role in A Man and a Woman?

Yes, she was in talks with director Claude Lelouch to play Anne Gauthier in A Man and a Woman 1966, but could not reach an agreement. The role went to Anouk Aimée.
Did Romy Schneider receive a posthumous César Award nomination?

Yes, she was nominated posthumously for Best Actress for The Passerby 1982. She and Pascale Ogier are the only actors to receive a posthumous nomination.
What was Romy Schneider's nickname?

She was nicknamed Miss worried due to her anxious demeanor. She also had the pet name Puppele from family.
Where is Romy Schneider buried?

She is buried in the village cemetery of Boissy-sans-Avoir in Yvelines, France, beside her son David.
Who directed Romy Schneider in The Leopard?

Luchino Visconti directed her in The Leopard 1963. She also worked with him on other projects and they were good friends.
Did Romy Schneider smoke?

Yes, she smoked up to three packets of Marlboro cigarettes per day. This was a well-known habit.
What was Romy Schneider's height?

She was 5 feet 4 inches 1.62 m tall. This was often noted in her film profiles.
Did Romy Schneider ever work with Orson Welles?

Yes, she worked with Orson Welles on The Trial 1962, an adaptation of Kafka’s novel. She played a role in the film.
How did Alain Delon honor Romy Schneider after her death?

Alain Delon placed a note on her tomb that read in part: You have never been so beautiful… I love you my love in German.
What was the cause of Harry Meyen's death?

Romy Schneider’s first husband, Harry Meyen, committed suicide in Hamburg on April 15, 1979. He was a stage director.
Is there a biopic about Romy Schneider?

Yes, she was portrayed by Jessica Schwarz in Romy 2009 and by Marie Bäumer in 3 Days in Quiberon 2018. A planned biopic with Yvonne Catterfeld never materialized.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on March 7, 2026

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