Topsy Küppers: A life full of humor and inspiration for her 94th birthday

Topsy Küppers: A life full of humor and inspiration for her 94th birthday

A very special day in Vienna: Today, August 17, 2025, we remember the wonderful actress and writer Topsy Küppers, who was born in Aachen on August 17, 1931. Küppers was not only a formative figure on the Viennese cultural scene, but also a woman with many facets who was distinguished by her way of life and art. She passed her acting exams with, among others, Gustav Gründgens, one of the most influential theater makers of her time. She then made a name for herself as Lola Blau in Georg Kreisler's musical of the same name.

Her passion for the stage led her to found the “Freie Bühne Wieden” in 1976, which she ran successfully for over 25 years. After retiring from active stage life, she continued to devote herself to writing, and her books always combined wisdom with humor. Her last work, which she published in 2014, is entitled "My Ungustl. A Disgusting Guest" and talks openly about her cancer.

A life full of humor and inspiration

Topsy Küppers was active in the cultural scene well into old age. In the fall of 2011, at the age of 80, she was still described as vital and an inspiration to many whom she reached through her radio broadcasts and literary works. Her motto, “If your life is sad - brighten it up with humor,” reflects her attitude to life and touched many people in her final years. Her recordings in particular, in which she performed together with Georg Kreisler, are still very popular today.

some of her most important book publications are:

• „Nix wie Zores. Jüdisches Leben und Lieben“ (2021)
• „Die Brüder Saphir“ (2018)
• „Mein Ungustl. Ein widerlicher Gast“ (2014)
• „Lauter liebe Leute. Ein dicker Brief an mein Publikum“ (2013)
• „Alle Träume führen nach Wien. Ein Tatsachenroman“ (2001)
• „Wenn dein Leben trist ist – erleuchte es mit Humor!“ (2009)

A topic that touches the heart

Regardless of her work as an actress and author, Topsy Küppers also attached great importance to the topics of aging and life itself. Her candid reflections have inspired and encouraged numerous people to tackle life's challenges with lightness and humor. As she herself said, humor is one of the best ways to dispel the sadness of everyday life.

ORF reports about her life and work as a special legacy that continues to enrich us today. Even though Topsy Küppers passed away on June 14th in Vienna, her spirit remains alive through her art.

Not to be forgotten is a completely different Topsy, namely the elephant, who tragically found his final resting place on January 4, 1903. Topsy, the Asian elephant, is considered a symbol of the cruel fate of many animals in the entertainment industry. Their story, which was also documented in a film, raises ethical questions that are still relevant today. For many people, Topsy remains a reminder of the darker sides of a life that is often characterized by greed and ignorance. You can find out more about this famous, tragic elephant on Wikipedia.