December 27, 1901

    Birth of Marie Magdalene Dietrich in Berlin-Schoneberg.
    Parents: Louis Erich Otto Dietrich and Elisabeth Josephine nee Felsing.
   
1907 - 1919
    School in Berlin and Dessau.
   
1922
    First stage roles in Berlin theatres, including the Grosses Schauspielhaus Berlin (director Max Reinhardt); first small parts in films.
   
May 17, 1923
    Marriage to Rudolf Sieber (1897 - 1976).
   
December 13, 1924
    Birth of daughter Maria Elizabeth Sieber.
   
1929
    First leading part in the film DIE FRAU, NACH DER MAN SICH SEHNT.
   
October 1929
    Screen tests and contract for the film DER BLAUE ENGEL.
   
April 1, 1930
    Premiere of the DER BLAUE ENGEL at the Gloria Palast in Berlin.
   
April 2, 1930
    Departure for America.
   
November 14, 1930
    Premiere of her first American film, MOROCCO.
   
1935
    After seven films together, parting of the ways with her director Josef von Sternberg.
   
March 6, 1937
    Became an American citizen.
   
1944 - 45
    Entertaining American troops in N. Africa and Europe.
   
1950
    The French government awards her the title of “ de la Legion d'Honneur”. She was later to be promoted "officer" by President Pompidou and “” by President Mitterand.
   
1953 - 54
    Appearances as show performer at the Hotel Sahara in Las Vegas and Cafe de Paris in London.
   
1960
    Publication of the book “ Dietrich's ABC”
   
1974
    Last cabaret/stage performance
   
1975
    Last film performance in “ A Gigolo”
   
1979
    Autobiography published “ nur mein Leben”
   
1984
    Biographical film “” by Maximillian Schell
   
May 6, 1992
    Died in Paris in her sleep; Services at La Madelaine May 10, Buried in Berlin next to her mother, May 16, 1992.
   
October 24, 1993
    Transfer of her estate effects to the State of Berlin and the Stiftung Deutsche Kinemathek, assisted by John Block of Sotheby's (New York)