I feel as though I have lived many lives, experienced the heights and depths of each and like the waves of the ocean, never known rest. Throughout the years, I looked always for the unusual, for the wonderful, for the mysteries at the heart of life.

Through my optimism I naturally prefer and capture the beauty in life.

I am fascinated by what is beautiful, strong, healthy, what is living. I seek harmony.

My desire to dive with an oxygen cylinder was so intensive that I decided to use a trick. Registering as Helene Jacob, I lied about my age: instead of 1902, I wrote 1922 in the application forms. My rejuvenation not withstanding, the scuba instructor eyed me skeptically; he was probably thinking: She'll never make it.

Your deeds exceed the power of human imagination. They are without equal in the history of mankind. How can we (the German people) ever thank you?

In 1934 people were crazy and there was great enthusiasm for Hitler. We had to try and find that with our camera.