On Saturday evening, 26 April 2026, Wendolin Woitschack sat in the audience of the ZDF “Giovanni Zarrella Present” wiping tears as his daughter Anna-Carina performed her modern song “Dieses Gefuhl” on stage.
The 81-year-old father’s emotional reaction was not just a proud parent’s moment — it was a rare public glimpse into a private battle. Wendolin Woitschack was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in summer 2024, a diagnosis that brought severe pain and left two rounds of chemotherapy ineffective.
Only after switching to antibody therapy in August 2025 did his condition begin to improve, according to Anna-Carina’s own statements to Bild magazine at the time. She noted then that he had regained weight and that the treatment gave him noticeable new strength and confidence.
The family’s presence in the studio was not routine. Anna-Carina, who is currently in intense training for the RTL show “Let’s Dance,” had taken special leave to attend the ZDF broadcast.
Host Giovanni Zarrella highlighted the moment live on air, asking the singer who she had brought to the show. When she replied that her parents were present, he turned to them and said, “It’s beautiful that you’re here,” visibly moved by their attendance.
The camera frequently panned to the audience, showing Anna-Carina’s mother and father sitting together, both visibly proud as she performed.
The episode aired under the theme “Party pure” and featured other notable guests including Germany’s Eurovision hopeful Sarah Engels, Maite Kelly, Beatrice Egli, former Spice Girl Melanie C., the Graf von Unheilig and the band Die Prinzen.
For Wendolin Woitschack, simply being able to attend and witness his daughter’s performance represented a meaningful milestone in his ongoing recovery.
Why did Anna-Carina Woitschack prioritize this appearance over her “Let’s Dance” preparations?
She took special leave from her rigorous training schedule for the RTL competition to ensure she could perform in the ZDF show and have her parents present for the event.
What does Wendolin Woitschack’s attendance indicate about his health status?
His ability to attend the show and react emotionally to his daughter’s performance suggests measurable progress following antibody therapy that began in August 2025 after prior treatments failed.
