Departures of note

Monika Helfer was born in 1947 in Au, Vorarlberg, Austria. She began publishing in the 1970s, producing a prolific body of work that included novels, short stories, and children's literature. Her writing was distinguished by its clear, truthful style and a focus on the perspectives of children within challenging family dynamics.

Helfer earned numerous accolades throughout her career, most notably the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class. She gained widespread recognition with the 2020 novel "Die Bagage," a semi‑autobiographical work that resonated with a broad readership. This was followed by the family trilogy "Vati" (2021) and "Löwenherz" (2022), which examined her own family history.

In addition to her literary achievements, Helfer was married to fellow writer Michael Köhlmeier, with whom she had two children, and she raised four children in total. Her contributions to Austrian literature were celebrated for their emotional depth and honesty, leaving a lasting impact on readers and the literary community.

Monika Helfer passed away unexpectedly on 2 August 2026 after a fall, at the age of 78.