Brief Introduction of Hanna Lakomy
Hanna Lakomy, also widely known by her pseudonym Salomé Balthus, is a prominent German entrepreneur, columnist, and writer who has garnered significant public attention for her work as a high-end sex worker and her outspoken advocacy for the rights and recognition of individuals in the sex trade. Born into a family of celebrated artists in East Berlin, Lakomy has forged a unique and multifaceted career path that challenges societal norms and sparks critical conversations. After pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy and German literature, she entered the world of sex work, eventually founding her own successful escort service, Hetaera Berlin, which she describes as a “feminist collective.” As a columnist for various respected German publications, she offers insightful perspectives on sociopolitical issues, often drawing from her personal experiences to provide a nuanced and humanizing view of sex work. Her intellectual prowess, combined with her unapologetic stance on her profession, has made her a compelling and influential public figure in Germany.
Hanna Lakomy Overview
| Full Name | Klara Johanna “Hanna” Lakomy |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1984 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 41 |
| Birthplace | East Berlin, Germany |
| Profession | Prostitute, entrepreneur, columnist, writer |
| Husband/Wife | In a relationship with Florian Havemann |
| Family | Daughter of musician Reinhard Lakomy and poet Monika Ehrhardt |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Florian Havemann |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Early Life and Education of Hanna Lakomy
Hanna Lakomy was born Klara Johanna Lakomy on February 28, 1984, in Berlin-Pankow, East Berlin. She grew up in a household steeped in creativity and intellectualism as the daughter of the renowned musician and composer Reinhard Lakomy and the poet Monika Ehrhardt. Her parents were celebrated artists in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), known for their work on the popular children’s musical production “Der Traumzauberbaum.” This upbringing in a prominent artistic family provided her with a unique perspective and likely influenced her own creative and intellectual pursuits. Even as a child, she was involved in her parents’ artistic endeavors, lending her voice as a speaker on the children’s music album “Der Wasserkristall” in 1992. In 2001, her literary talents began to formally take shape as she participated in a workshop for young authors. Following her early creative experiences, Lakomy embarked on a rigorous academic path, beginning her studies in philosophy and older German literature at the prestigious Humboldt University of Berlin in 2003. She dedicated nearly a decade to her higher education, culminating in the attainment of a master’s degree in 2012. It was during her university years that she began to explore different avenues of self-expression and financial independence, working as a nude model and publishing texts under the name Klara Lakomy. This period of academic and personal exploration laid the groundwork for the unconventional and thought-provoking career she would later build.
Hanna Lakomy’s Career
Hanna Lakomy’s career is a compelling narrative of intellectual pursuit, entrepreneurial spirit, and advocacy. While still a student at Humboldt University, she began working as a prostitute in 2010, adopting the pseudonym Salomé Balthus. This decision was a pivotal moment, shaping the trajectory of her professional life. In 2016, she took a significant step further by founding Hetaera Berlin, an escort service she describes as a “feminist collective” of “modern hetaeras.” As the managing director, she created a platform for herself and other sex workers that emphasized autonomy and a shared operational cost structure, eschewing traditional commission-based models. This venture was not merely a business but a political statement, a practical application of her feminist principles within the sex industry.
Parallel to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Lakomy cultivated a successful career as a writer and columnist, using her platform to engage in public discourse on sociopolitical issues from the unique vantage point of a sex worker. Writing under her pseudonym Salomé Balthus, she penned the online column “Das Kanarienvögelchen” for the national daily newspaper Die Welt from August 2018 to April 2019. She later contributed to the Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin’s “Coronatagebuch” column in 2020. Using her birth name, Hanna Lakomy, she has also been a columnist for the Berliner Zeitung, where she wrote the column “Nachtgesichter” starting in November 2020 and a portrait series titled “Berlin. Exotherm” from March 2021. Through her writing, she has been described as “Germany’s most famous sex worker” and has become a significant voice in the media, challenging stereotypes and advocating for the destigmatization of her profession. In 2023, she co-authored the novel “Begabung usw.” with her partner, Florian Havemann, further expanding her literary footprint. Together, they also founded a publishing house called Freunde und Friends.
Hanna Lakomy Personal Life & Family
Hanna Lakomy’s personal life is as noteworthy as her professional one, shaped by her artistic heritage and her long-term relationship. She is the daughter of two iconic figures in East German culture, composer Reinhard Lakomy and writer Monika Ehrhardt. Growing up in such a well-known family in the GDR provided her with certain privileges, such as the ability to travel to Italy for holidays, which was uncommon at the time. However, she has also spoken about a sense of isolation, suggesting that her parents had more fans and admirers than close friends. Her father, whom she described as somewhat prudish and complex, passed away in 2013. Lakomy has stated that she did not tell her father about her work as a prostitute before his death, believing it would have been difficult for him to understand and accept.
For over 15 years, Hanna Lakomy has been in a relationship with the writer and artist Florian Havemann. Their partnership is characterized by a deep intellectual and emotional connection, as well as a mutual defiance of societal conventions. Havemann, the son of the prominent GDR dissident Robert Havemann, shares a similar background of having a famous father. Their relationship has faced public scrutiny, particularly due to their age difference and Lakomy’s profession. At one point, Lakomy financially supported Havemann and his children through her work, a reversal of traditional gender roles that she said caused a stir. She currently resides in the Neukölln district of Berlin.
Awards and Achievements of Hanna Lakomy
- Information not disclosed
Hanna Lakomy Net Worth and Income
Information regarding Hanna Lakomy’s precise net worth is not publicly available. Her income is derived from multiple sources, reflecting her diverse career. A significant portion of her earnings comes from her work as a high-end escort and her role as the founder and managing director of the successful escort service, Hetaera Berlin. Reports have mentioned her rates, such as 1,000 euros for a two-hour booking. Additionally, she has established a steady income stream through her prolific work as a writer and columnist for major German publications, including Die Welt, Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin, and the Berliner Zeitung. She also earns royalties from her literary works, such as the novel “Begabung usw.,” which she co-authored and published through the publishing house she co-founded, Freunde und Friends.
Legacy and Influence
Hanna Lakomy has crafted a significant legacy as one of Germany’s most prominent and articulate advocates for the rights and dignity of sex workers. By openly embracing her identity as both a highly educated intellectual and a prostitute, she has systematically worked to dismantle the stigmas and stereotypes that have long plagued her profession. Her founding of Hetaera Berlin as a “feminist collective” is a tangible part of this legacy, offering a model for how sex work can be organized to empower workers rather than exploit them. Through her extensive writing in mainstream publications, she has brought a nuanced, first-person perspective to a topic often discussed without the input of those directly involved. She has forced a public conversation that challenges preconceived notions and advocates for viewing sex work as a legitimate profession. Her influence lies in her ability to articulate her arguments with philosophical depth and personal conviction, making it difficult for the public and media to ignore her perspective. By refusing to lead a double life and being transparent about her work, she has inspired discussions about female self-determination, sexuality, and the very definition of labor in contemporary society.
Interesting Facts about Hanna Lakomy
- She is the daughter of the famous East German artist couple Reinhard Lakomy and Monika Ehrhardt, who created the beloved children’s musical “Der Traumzauberbaum.”
- She holds a master’s degree in Philosophy and German Literature from Humboldt University of Berlin.
- As a child, she was a speaker on her parents’ children’s music album “Der Wasserkristall” (1992).
- She began her career in sex work under the pseudonym Salomé Balthus, a name inspired by the artist Balthus, known for his provocative depictions of adolescent girls.
- She founded her own escort service, Hetaera Berlin, which operates as a “feminist collective” where the workers share costs instead of paying a commission.
- In addition to her work as an entrepreneur and writer, she and her partner Florian Havemann founded their own publishing house, Freunde und Friends.
- She has stated that she consciously chose to “out” herself as a prostitute for political reasons, to advocate for the rights of sex workers and to be a visible, authentic voice for her community.
Controversies
Hanna Lakomy has been at the center of several public controversies, largely stemming from her outspoken nature and profession. A significant incident occurred in April 2019 after her appearance as Salomé Balthus on the Swiss talk show “Schawinski.” During the show, after a clip of feminist Alice Schwarzer was shown claiming most prostitutes were abused as children, the host Roger Schawinski asked Lakomy if she had been sexually abused. In her subsequent column for Die Welt, Lakomy characterized the question as “Did your father sexually abuse you?” Schawinski strongly denied phrasing it this way and called it a “serious defamation.” The editor-in-chief of Die Welt, Ulf Poschardt, then terminated her column and apologized to Schawinski, leading to a widespread debate in German and Swiss media.
Another controversy arose in December 2019 when she announced her intention to sue the Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche. A journalist for the publication had booked an escort date with her and then published a portrait of her, which Lakomy stated was against her will and contained unauthorized quotes. She successfully raised 15,000 Swiss francs through crowdfunding to cover the legal costs. More recently, in 2025, Lakomy publicly accused German musician Konstantin Wecker of inappropriate behavior, alleging that he put his hand on her thigh and invited her to his hotel room in a backstage area after a concert in 2015, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Publicly available under the handle @salome.balthus
- Twitter – Publicly available under the handle @Salome_herself
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about Hanna Lakomy
Hanna Lakomy, known to many as Salomé Balthus, continues to be a formidable and unapologetic voice at the intersection of intellect, art, and sex work. Her journey from the artistic enclave of her East Berlin childhood to becoming one of Germany’s most recognized writers and entrepreneurs in the sex industry is a testament to her resilience and conviction. She has successfully leveraged her academic background and personal experiences to challenge societal hypocrisy and advocate for a more enlightened understanding of prostitution. Through her columns, her business model, and her public persona, Lakomy insists on being seen and heard on her own terms. Looking ahead, her work with the publishing house Freunde und Friends, alongside her partner Florian Havemann, suggests a continued focus on bringing provocative and unconventional narratives to the forefront. Hanna Lakomy’s legacy is not just about her chosen profession, but about her unwavering demand for intellectual honesty, personal autonomy, and the right to define one’s own existence without shame or apology.
