Jenny Elvers discourses on her bond with Farin Holiday
Despite being part of Germany's rock elite for decades, Die Ärzte have successfully kept their personal lives away from the public eye. Only a few details have surfaced, such as Farin Urlaub's previous relationship with Jenny Elvers. She recently shared more insights about their past relationship.
Die Ärzte is set to perform in Berlin this upcoming weekend, not just at any venue, but on the grounds of the old Tempelhof Airport where around 60,000 spectators are expected to gather. This three-night performance isn't a one-time event; it's a testament to the band's longevity and success, formed in 1982 around the two lead singers Farin Urlaub and Bela B, along with the indispensable Rodrigo González.
Despite their chart-topping hits, the members have maintained a low profile when it comes to their personal lives. Notable exceptions include Bela B's son and Farin Urlaub's former relationship with Jenny Elvers.
"It was kept secret"
Elvers recently spoke about her past relationship with the musician in an episode of NDR's talk show "Deep and Clear" set to air in September, now available in the ARD media library. According to her, she had met the musician, who was almost nine years her senior, in the '80s. "I was still in school," she revealed, "I was 17, 18 at the time," she added, but quickly clarified, "still within the norm."
Their relationship lasted 4 years, but it remained a secret: "Nobody knew," Elvers explained. The communication challenges were easy compared to modern times: "We didn't have cell phones, just an orange phone with a very long cord. My parents always listened in when I talked on the phone."
After Die Ärzte disbanded, Urlaub moved in with Elvers temporarily: "Eventually, Die Ärzte broke up, and Jan moved in with me in my childhood bedroom." The age gap and contrasting circumstances were more of a challenge than the relationship itself: "I was still in school, he was at the height of his career, just separated from the band." Urlaub was a wealthy and time-rich solo artist, while Elvers was a student funding her life in a small town with her little brother and grandmother living in the same house.
"We traveled a lot"
Their time together was not without their vacation experiences: "We traveled together a lot," Elvers said. "In fact, I learned a lot from him. He's very well-read, a very intelligent man." Elver's loved Urlaub with all her heart, and hence, their relationship was never discussed in the media - "because I never wanted to gain fame through any man," she shared. Her self-doubt hindered her, questioning, "What do I really have to offer?" It was only after she gained fame as "Heidekönigin" and grown her own stardom that she found her confidence.
She ventured into acting, appearing in films like "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Knallhart," and the comedy series "Nikola." Her reconciliation with public life extended to reality TV formats. Elvers' prominent relationships post-Urlaub include actor Heiner Lauterbach and rapper Thomas D of the Fantastic Four.
Her most recent romantic partner was Alex Jolig, a "Big Brother" contestant, with whom she had her only child, a son born in 2001. She married only once, from 2003 to 2014, to her manager, Goetz Elbertzhagen.
The secretive nature of Urlaub's past relationships, including his four-year relationship with Jenny Elvers, is a testament to Die Ärzte's commitment to keeping their personal lives private. During their time together, they traveled extensively, and Elvers learned a great deal from the well-read and intelligent Urlaub.
