Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornaz Actress Date of Birth: 01.01.1962 Country: Switzerland

1. Childhood and Early Life
2. Education and Career Shift
3. Theatre and Film
4. Film Career
5. Personal Life
6. Mother Teresa Project
7. Preparation and Release

Childhood and Early Life

Jacqueline Fritschi-Cornuz was born in Oberrieden, Switzerland, in 1962. Growing up with two sisters, she was raised by a social institution director mother and a businessman father. At the tender age of six, her ballet journey commenced, with her debut as a mouse in a performance. Despite discomfort in the costume and limited visibility, she discovered her passion for the stage.

Education and Career Shift

Following high school, Jacqueline briefly taught elementary school before returning to the stage. However, ballet was no longer an option due to her age, prompting her to pursue other artistic avenues. Over 35 years old, she embarked on a journey of education in acting, cinematography, and vocals through workshops and courses across Switzerland, the United States, France, and Germany.

Theatre and Film

In 1997, Jacqueline began a three-year apprenticeship at the Schauspielhaus Zürich, and in 2000, her debut on its stage was marked by the performance "Bodies." She continued to grace various theatre stages, including a self-penned production titled "Ibicaba and the Shrimp" that toured Switzerland for five years, commencing in 2004. Throughout her career, she also ventured into musicals, showcasing her singing and dancing abilities. In 2015, she embarked on another Swiss tour with the musical show "Murder in the Conservatory," which concluded four years later. Additionally, Jacqueline has appeared in commercials throughout Europe for various products and services.

Film Career

Jacqueline's filmography gained momentum in the early 2000s, primarily featuring short films and occasional roles in television soap operas. In 2013, she landed a notable role in the feature-length drama "Welcome to Tehran," whose production was halted due to political reasons.

Personal Life

In the late 1980s, Jacqueline married Swiss businessman Richard Fritschi. They remain childless but enjoy spending time with their numerous godchildren. The couple resides in Oberrieden, often seeking respite by Lake Zurich.

Mother Teresa Project

Inspired by a trip to India in 2010, Jacqueline and her husband, touched by the plight of street children, sought to make a difference. Drawing parallels between Mother Teresa's life and Jacqueline's own physical resemblance to the missionary, they embarked on a mission.

Returning home, they established a foundation and launched a fundraising campaign for a film about Mother Teresa, eventually raising €4 million. As producers, they pledged to donate all proceeds to healthcare, education, and aid for impoverished, orphaned, and ill children, including those in India.

Jacqueline meticulously researched archival documents, photographs, and documentaries to create character profiles for the film, taking on the role of the titular missionary herself. The screenplay was entrusted to Kamal Musale, who crafted the story of Kavitha (Banita Sandhu), a British-Indian woman torn between relationships, unwanted pregnancy, and familial expectations. Her journey leads her to Calcutta, where she embraces volunteer work and the values of Mother Teresa.

Preparation and Release

To prepare for the role, Jacqueline immersed herself in an Indian orphanage, lived in a Swiss monastery, and mastered the accent. She sought insights from those who knew Mother Teresa and visited her birthplace in Skopje to fully grasp the complexity of this legendary figure.

The production team presented a 20-minute pilot in 2018, and the film premiered in Switzerland in fall 2022. It subsequently graced Russian cinemas in summer 2023. Over the years of production, Jacqueline made over 50 trips to India.