Chris Doerk (born 24 February 1942,[1] Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany) is a German musician and actress. She was a successful pop singer in socialist East Germany (GDR) and was married to fellow singer Frank Schöbel.[2]

Chris Doerk performing in 2012

Life and career

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Doerk rose to prominence after winning a talent competition.[2] As a young woman, she worked as a commercial designer and a model.[2] In the 1960s, she was considered a pop music star with husband Frank Schöbel, and the pair sold millions of records.[2] The two sang and danced together in two DEFA films: Heißer Sommer (1968) and Nicht schummeln, Liebling (1972).[3] The pair divorced in 1974, and also went separate ways professionally.[2] Doerk had one son with Schöbel.[4]

After the divorce, Doerk continued to perform through the 1980s, and spent much time overseas, particularly in Cuba.[5] She published a book about Cuba in 2002 called La Casita.[5] Following German reunification, Doerk took a break from singing, but she made a comeback, and released her first record after 20 years in 2012.[4]

In 2023, she revealed that she was "seriously ill" and canceled all of her performances.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Was geschah am 24. Februar? Historische Ereignisse, Jahrestage, Kalenderblatt". MDR.DE (in German). 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Schlagersängerin Chris Doerk: „Ich feiere das Leben"". Aktuelle News (in German). 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  3. ^ "Chris Doerk schwer krank: Große Sorge um Ex-DDR-Star". Schlager.de (in German). 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  4. ^ a b Zeitung, Märkische Allgemeine (2017-02-24). "DDR-Schlagersängerin Chris Doerk wird 75". MAZ - Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  5. ^ a b Kosel, Sophia-Caroline (2012-02-20). "Schlager: Schlager: Mit 70 ist Chris Doerk wieder voll im Geschäft". Mitteldeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  6. ^ "Sorge um DDR-Star: Chris Doerk streicht alle musikalischen Auftritte". www.t-online.de (in German). 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-07-22.