Born and raised in Bavaria, Anita studied sociology, psychology, and political science at the University of Augsburg, where she earned both her M.A. and Ph.D. with a focus on Mediterranean cultural patterns. After several years of research and teaching at the universities of Regensburg and Augsburg, she moved to Sicily’s capital in 1997.
In addition to leading guided walks, Anita continues her academic research on a variety of topics, including mafia related phenomena. She is also an accomplished travel writer and frequently lectures aboard prestigious cruise ships such as Sea Cloud and The World.
Her guidebook Sizilien. Zeit für das Beste received the award for best guidebook series in Italy. One of her most well known works is the Baedeker Sizilien guide, published in 2018. Her recent publications include Die sizilianische Mafia: Der bewaffnete Arm der Politik (The Sicilian Mafia: The Armed Wing of Politics, Springer, 2025).