Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2004 (announced 8 October
2004).
Her father, of Czech origin, was a chemist, her mother was from a
prosperous Vienna family. She was immortalized in the character of the
mother in the movie The Piano Teacher (2001) which is based on Jelinek's novel.
One of the most vocal critics of Austria's current right-wing
government. She also a strong supporter of feminism.
Was instructed in piano, organ, guitar, viola and recorder from an
early age because her mother planned a career as musician for
her.
Her most famous novels are "Die Lieberhaberinnen" (1975, "Woman As
Lovers"), "Die Klavierspielerin" (1983, "The Piano Teacher"), "Lust"
(1989, "Lust") and "Gier" (2000, "Greed").