Heidi Klum was teased as a child because of her name
Although she has been living in the USA for decades, Heidi Klum remains deeply connected to her home culture – and is now content with her typically German first name. However, this wasn’t always the case: “When I was little, I was often teased because of it”, the model says in an interview with “Bild” newspaper. “Where are Peter and the Alpine grandfather? Where are your goats?” – allusions to the famous children’s book character Heidi.
Back then, she didn’t like her name, but now she’s proud of it: “Today I think: The name suits me perfectly”, says Klum, who is hosting her first “HeidiFest” in Munich this Thursday evening. For the model, the event is a tribute to her deceased grandmother and early childhood memories.
Heidi Klum on special childhood memories
She was exposed to Alpine culture from an early age: “We always went to the mountains in South Tyrol. That’s where I learned to ski, to yodel, and all about the delicacies”, she recalls. Lederhosen were also part of her summer vacations. Her grandmother Leni was particularly influential, lovingly caring for Heidi and styling her hair in elaborate updos with daisy crowns. “When my parents were away, I stayed with her. Then we would watch Musikantenstadl. I loved it!”
With “HeidiFest”, Klum celebrates her childhood memories, the music, and the traditions close to her heart. Numerous artists will perform, including Marianne & Michael, Roberto Blanco, and JΓΌrgen Drews. Her family – husband Tom, mother Erna, and her four children – will accompany her, all wearing traditional costumes. Klum herself will wear a classic dirndl to preserve tradition – even though she likes to experiment with modern variations in private.
However, she does draw some lines: She wants to forgo the so-called “LiebestΓΆter” – knee-length underwear – with the traditional costume – for her husband Tom Kaulitz’s sake: “I don’t want to do that to him!”
Heidi Klum has never been to Oktoberfest
And although she has experienced many things as an international model, there’s still one “first time” on her list: her first visit to Oktoberfest. Because: “I’ve never been to Oktoberfest, but that will change on the first day of Wiesn”, Heidi Klum reveals.
The “HeidiFest” takes place on September 18 at 8:15 PM at the HofbrΓ€uhaus Munich and will be broadcast on ProSieben and Joyn. Around 1,000 invited guests are expected.
