Hanka Rackwitz is a German television personality and author, who rose to prominence through her bold and unfiltered presence in reality TV, starting with her stint on Big Brother in 2000 that earned her the memorable nickname “Hexe Hanka” for her fiery red-and-black hair and spirited clashes.
Over the years, she transitioned into a scripted reality star as a no-nonsense real estate agent on Mieten, Kaufen, Wohnen, while openly sharing her battles with anxiety and OCD through her 2016 memoir Ich tick’ nicht richtig.
Profile
- Full Name: Hanka Rackwitz
- Stage Name: Hanka Rackwitz
- Born: April 19, 1969
- Age: 56 years old
- Birthplace: Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
- Nationality: German
- Occupation: Television personality, author
- Height: 1.70m
- Parents: Mr. Rackwitz and Mrs. Rackwitz
- Siblings: Unknown
- Spouse: None
- Partner: Pierre Paminski
- Children: None
- Relationship: Dating
- Net Worth: $100,000
Early Life and Education
Hanka Rackwitz was born on April 19, 1969, in Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, to Mr. Rackwitz and Mrs. Rackwitz, both dedicated teachers in a stable academic household.
Details about siblings remain private and undisclosed in public records.
After finishing school in the former East Germany, she pursued studies in German literature and art at Karl-Marx-University in Leipzig, aiming to follow her parents into teaching, though she left without completing her certification amid the shifting landscape of reunification.
Her ethnicity reflects typical Central German roots, with no specific religious affiliations publicly noted.
Career
Hanka Rackwitz began her professional path in varied hands-on roles, training as a demolition contractor after her studies, a gritty job that honed her tough persona before she dabbled in bartending and real estate.
Her entry into television came unexpectedly in 2000 with Big Brother Germany season 2, where she spent 56 days in the house, sparking headlines with her clashes—most notably a prolonged feud with housemate Christian Möllmann—and her distinctive hairstyle that tabloids dubbed “Hexe Hanka.”
The exposure thrust her into the spotlight, marking her as one of the early reality TV trailblazers and opening doors to scripted formats.
Rackwitz built on that buzz by pivoting to real estate brokerage in real life, which led to her starring role from 2009 to 2016 on VOX’s Mieten, Kaufen, Wohnen, where she played a sharp-witted agent helping clients navigate property deals in over 100 episodes.
The show’s popularity amplified her visibility, blending her demolition background with on-screen charisma, while guest spots on SOKO Leipzig in 2011 and lighter fare like Das perfekte Promi-Dinner in 2012 added variety.
In 2017, she tested her limits on Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!, finishing second and earning praise for confronting her phobias head-on, which boosted her profile further.
Hanka Rackwitz channeled personal struggles into her 2016 book Ich tick’ nicht richtig, a candid exploration of her OCD and anxiety that resonated widely and led to a second volume on recovery.
She returned triumphantly in 2024 for Ich bin ein Star – Showdown der Dschungel-Legenden, facing jungle trials anew, and paired with Pierre for Das Sommerhaus der Stars in 2025, though they exited early amid tensions.
Her influence endures through advocacy for mental health in media, inspiring open dialogues on vulnerability amid entertainment’s glare.
Social Media
- Instagram Handle: @hanka.rackwitz
- Facebook Handle: Hanka Rackwitz
- Twitter Handle: Unknown
Personal Life
Hanka Rackwitz has navigated relationships with raw openness, reuniting in September 2024 with longtime partner Pierre Paminski after a decade apart—originally together from 2007 to 2017—whom she credits with steadying her through therapy and rediscovering intimacy after years of self-described asexuality tied to her disorders.
She has no children and keeps family details close, focusing instead on a modest life in a 74-square-meter apartment near Leipzig, where she practices yoga and simple rituals for calm.
Net Worth
Hanka Rackwitz carries an estimated net worth of $100,000, pieced together from sporadic reality TV appearances—like her six-figure payout from the 2024 Dschungelcamp special, much of which went to debts and taxes—and modest residuals from Mieten, Kaufen, Wohnen reruns.