At 75, Christa Stewens is still very much in motion - albeit no longer in politics.
Her subject areas: children and the disabled.
A home visit.
What kind of voluntary work is she currently doing?
Christa Stewens sighs and smiles, then answers: "District chairwoman BRK Upper Bavaria, district chairwoman BRK Ebersberg, board member of the Special Olympics sponsorship association, member of the board of trustees of the outpatient children's hospice in Munich", break, the Angelbrechtinger winks and asks: "Next?".
Stewens' volunteer work cannot be counted on one hand anyway.
Among other things, she is still a member of the supervisory board of the Sternstunden association, chairwoman of the foundation board of the “Center for Quality in Care” and a member of the board of trustees of the German Children's Rheumatism Foundation.
"To put it simply: My subject area is children and the disabled," she says.
No regrets leaving politics for a second
It has not only been the case for seven years when Stewens retired from politics.
She has already campaigned for the interests of children and the disabled as Minister of State, both professionally and on a voluntary basis.
From 1994 to 2013 she was for the CSU in the Bavarian State Parliament, she was Labor and Family Minister (2001 to 2008) and in 2007 and 2008 Deputy Prime Minister.
At the end of her political career, she became chairman of the CSU parliamentary group in the state parliament.
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Preferably barefoot: Christa Stewens on her doorstep.
© Johannes Dziemballa
"No." Your answer comes quickly without having to think twice.
The question was: "Were there moments in the past seven years when you missed politics?" She used the time that was freed up for volunteering alongside her family.
This is true today and for the future.
Especially the Special Olympics (sporting competitions for people with intellectual disabilities) are a matter close to their hearts.
When Christa Stewens talks about it, about encounters, about experiences in this area, she forgets everything around.
The cell phone lying on the table can beep and display new messages as often as necessary.
"I know from my own experience that sporting success brings a lot to children," says Christa Stewens and tells of a mother who came to her at a special Olympics competition award ceremony, thanked her and told her how proud she was of be her child.
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Christa Stewens goes for walks with Anton the Dachshund twice a day.
© Johannes Dziemballa
Sport has always played an important role in the life of the Stewens family, especially athletics.
Keep moving, also mentally.
That, says Stewens, is the same in old age.
“Never do the same thing over and over again.
Do volunteer work.
Do something new.
Get involved, in the family, in the neighborhood.
It all keeps you fit. ”That is her advice in a nutshell.
"I've said that to older people before."
Volunteer positions, yoga, grandchildren
She lives what she says.
In addition to her voluntary work, she has been meeting up with neighbors regularly for over 30 years to chat and yoga once a week.
In the mornings and evenings, Stewens goes for a walk with the wire-haired dachshund Anton, well, and then there are her 24 grandchildren (aged 6 to 24) who keep her busy.
Physically and mentally.
I get tired in the evening.
Christa Stewens, who wants to start jogging again at 75
Will she never get tired?
Christa Stewens laughs again warmly and replies: “I get tired in the evening.” Oh yes, the regular jogging, which she did especially during her active time in politics, is currently paused.
The knees.
“But I want to start again,” says Christa Stewens.
Ten kilometers at a stretch through the Ebersberger Forest, as it used to be, it wouldn't be anymore, anyway.
At 75, that is how old she is, the Angelbrechtinger wants to start running again.
Always keep moving.
By the way, she prefers to be in motion barefoot (except when jogging).
"I only put on socks when it snows." Even as a politician, she was barefoot in her shoes.
"No idea why.
I've been doing this since I was a little girl, ”says Stewens, laughing happily.
Once more.