Cornelia Funke, born December 10, 1958, in Dorsten, graduated as a teacher in Hamburg after finishing school. She then worked for three years as an educator. During this time, she also studied illustration at Hamburg's Fachhochschule für Gestaltung.

After her graduation, Funke worked as a children's book illustrator – before she tried out to become a children's and youth book writer. In 1988, Funke published her first youth novel, "Die große Drachensuche. Oder Ben und Lisa fliegen aufs Dach der Welt". Five years and several children's books later, she published the novel "Die Wilden Hühner" which marked the start of a enourmously successful five-part youth book series.

In 2002, Funke made her international breakthrough, when her novel "Der Herr der Diebe" ("The Thief Lord", published in Germany in 2000) was translated into English for the US market and became a huge success in America. In the following years, the novel was translated into 23 languages.

Funke's most successful novels (internationally, too) also include "Hände weg von Mississppi" (1997), "Drachenreiter" ("Dragon Rider", 1997), the "Tintenwelt-Trilogie" ("Inkworld Trilogy", 2003 to 2007), and the "Gespensterjäger" series ("Ghosthunters", 1993 to 2001).

From time to time, fans and specialist press have characterized Funke as the German counterpart to Joanne K. Rowling, the author of the "Harry Potter" novels. Meanwhile, Funke's multiple award-winning novels have reached a total number of more than 10 million copies published.

Film adaptations of her novels "Die Wilden Hühner" ("The Wild Chicks"), "Die Wilden Hühner und die Liebe" ("Wild Chicks in Love"), "Die Wilden Hühner und das Leben" ("The Wild Chicks and Life"), "Der Herr der Diebe" ("The Thief Lord"), "Hände weg von Mississippi" ("Hands Off Mississippi"), "Tintenherz" ("Inkheart") and "Als der Weihnachtsmann vom Himmel fiel" ("When Santa Fell to Earth") have all become huge box office hits. In April 2015 the adaptation of "Gespensterjäger" ("Ghosthunters") opened in cinemas.

In 2008, Cornelia Funke was awarded with the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany on ribbon.