After visiting a business school from 1960 to 1962, she studied at the Fototechnikum Agfa in Munich from 1971 to 1973 and founded a private company in 1969.[2][3]
She was a member of the Bundesrat from April 2003 to March 2023 and was president of the Economic Chamber of Lower Austria [de] from 1999 to 2020 (see also: Austrian Economic Chamber), which she is most known for. Her successor Wolfgang Ecker [de] thanked her for "years of successful work and incomparable commitment".[2][3][4] Additionally, for short periods of time, she was the president (from January to June 2015) and vice-president (January to June 2022) of the Bundesrat.[2]
She was criticized for her expensive farewell party in 2020, costing roughly 54.000 euros, especially because it took place during a time where many small businesses were suffering due to Covid-19.[6]