Born 7 June 1960 in Munich; married, three children; Roman Catholic

1966 - 1979
Primary and secondary schooling

1979 - 1980
Civilian service

1981 – 1987
Studied history, literature and public law at the University of Hamburg,
Studied at the London School of Economics,
Obtained master's degree from the University of Hamburg

1988 - 1989
Practical training at ZDF, the German television channel

since December 1989
Editor at ZDF

1992 – 1995
Washington D.C. correspondent for ZDF

subsequently
Presenter of the breakfast television programme ZDF-Morgenmagazin

1997 – 2003
Chief editor of the programmes hallo Deutschland and ZDF-Reporter

2003 – 2010
News presenter on the main ZDF news broadcasts heute and heute journal

since August 2010
Head of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government and Government Spokesperson