Barbara Valentin, the stage name of Ursula Ledersteger, was an Austrian-born German actress, often nicknamed the "German Jayne Mansfield". Initially known for sex symbol roles in 1960s genre films, her career took a decisive turn thanks to her artistic partnership with director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, becoming one of his key actresses. She took part in fundamental works of the New German Cinema directed by Fassbinder, including *Martha*, *Ali: Fear Eats the Soul*, *Effi Briest*, *Lili Marleen*, and the television series *Berlin Alexanderplatz*. Her versatility allowed her to tackle complex and dramatic roles, moving away from her initial image. For her performance in the 1974 film *La Paloma* by Daniel Schmid, she won the prestigious Deutscher Filmpreis (German Film Award) for Best Supporting Actress, consolidating her status as a prominent performer in the European cinematic landscape.