She studied at the University Frankfurt, Main, and she received a teaching diploma.
Between July 1989 and July 1994 she was a member of the European Parliament. During that period she was member and Vice-Chair of the Green Group in the European Parliament, member of the Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries, member of the Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment, member of the Delegation for relations with the Republics of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and member of the Subcommittee on Monetary Affairs.