- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMaria Sophia Coertse
- Mimi Coertse was born on June 12, 1932 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She was an actress, known for Skating on Thin Uys (1985), Hansie & Grietjie (1978) and Die spanische Stunde (1967). She was married to Werner Ackerman, Diego Brighi and Dawid Engela. She died on April 27, 2026 in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
- SpousesWerner Ackerman(1970 - 1994) (divorced)Diego Brighi(1965 - 1969) (divorced)Dawid Engela(July 25, 1953 - 1957) (divorced)
- Received a number of honours and awards including the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, the Title of Kammersängerin, and an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Pretoria.
- Has two adopted children after 5 miscarriages, Werner and Mia.
- Studied at the Helpmekaar Girls High School in Johannesburg. She started her vocal studies in 1949, and her debut performance was in 1951.
- In later years, she devoted her time to exposing young South African singers to the neglected art of Lieder singing, which is comparable to opera in terms of technical and interpretive demands. Her support for her fellow South African musicians was significant, as may be witnessed in her debut with the Mimi Coertse Bursary.
- She returned to the Vienna State Opera for a single farewell performance as Elisabetta in Don Carlo on 14 December 1978.
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