She was born in Olomouc in 1953 and spent her childhood, except for the first three years, in Prague.

After graduating from high school, the communist regime forbade her to study.

She worked in various jobs, including as a cook (which she enjoyed) and as a cleaner in Old Town of Prague (which inspired her).

In 1983, she emigrated with her husband, director Ivan Pokorný, and their children to Austria. There, and later in Germany, she spent eleven years in exile. She wrote plays and books, primarily for children and young adults. Some of her works were awarded prestigious literary prizes.

 

In 1994, she returned to the Czech Republic. After a brief stint as a producer at Czech Television (she was involved in the creation of the films Samotáři, Tmavomodrý svět, Naše děti, Rebelové…), she now works as a freelance writer and screenwriter.

Her love for cooking and for Old Town has never left her.