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Biography
Silke Maier-Witt, a German woman born in Nagold on 21 January 1950, is a notable figure in Germany’s post-war history. Initially recognized for her involvement in the Red Army Faction (RAF), a radical left-wing militant group active in the 1970s and 1980s, Maier-Witt later transitioned to a life dedicated to helping others as a trauma psychologist and welfare organizer.
In 1969, Maier-Witt enrolled at the University of Hamburg to pursue studies in psychology and medicine. Political instability was prevalent at the period, fueled by the 1968 worldwide demonstrations and mounting anti-Vietnam War sentiment. She supported imprisoned members of the Baader-Meinhof Group and participated in marches and demonstrations against US military actions during this time.
Schleyer was held hostage by the RAF in 1977 to secure the release of other RAF personnel who were imprisoned in West German jails. Schleyer was killed after 43 days of imprisonment, and Maier-Witt was key in conveying the group’s intentions. Then informed the left-leaning French publication Libération of Schleyer’s passing in a letter, and then followed up with a phone call from Frankfurt to confirm the information.
She and a few other members of the RAF decided to stop being active in the RAF in 1979 following a disastrous bank raid in Zürich. The East German Stasi helped Maier-Witt sneak herself into the German Democratic Republic (GDR), where she was granted a new identity and moved to the tiny town of Hoyerswerda under the pseudonym Angelika Gerlach. Although Maier-Witt lived under the watchful eye of the East German secret police, she was a model citizen who even joined the Socialist Unity Party and applied for GDR citizenship.
During her incarceration, Maier-Witt started to face the psychological effects of her previous behavior. She dedicated her life to assisting others in recovering from trauma and abuse by pursuing degrees in trauma psychology and eventually becoming a welfare organizer.
Following the Kosovo War, Maier-Witt was called upon by Germany’s Civil Peace Service to serve in Kosovo in 2000. She used her expertise as a trauma psychologist there to help war survivors recover and deal with the psychological effects of fighting. She finally made her home in North Macedonia, where she carried on with her social welfare and trauma-healing work.
Silke Maier Witt Age, Height, Weight, Date of Birth
Silke was born on January 21, 1950. As of 2025, she is 75 years old. However, the height and weight of Silke is not known.
Silke Maier Witt Husband, Children
There is no available information about the husband and Children of Silke Maier Witt.
Silke Maier Witt Net Worth
As of March 2024, the estimated net worth of Silke is unknown.
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