Odette Maniema Krempin | |
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Odette Krempin |
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Born | 1976 (age 35–36)[1] Maniema, Zaire |
Residence | Frankfurt am Main, Germany |
Nationality | Congolese |
Occupation | honorary consul, fashion designer, socialite |
Title | Princess |
Odette Maniema Krempin (born in 1976 in Maniema, Zaire) is an African fashion designer, socialite and honorary consul of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Frankfurt am Main.[2]
Krempin grew up in the province of Maniema, until her wealthy family moved to Paris when she was eight years old.[2] She became a tailor, studied fashion design in Paris and Marrakech, and opened a boutique in Niger at the age of 20.[1][2] Krempin moved to Frankfurt am Main in 2007, and founded the Deutsch-Afrikanisches Jugendwerk, a teaching organization.[2] The city of Frankfurt am Main supported the organization since its foundation with €10.000.[3]
In December 2009, the State's Attorney's office in Frankfurt am Main announced that they will launch an official fraud investigation against Krempin in respect of alleged misuse of charitable donations.[4] Further allegations concentrate on the legitimacy of her title and the misuse of corporate logos.[3][5] ZDF television reported that UNESCO was not aware of Krempin's status as a UNESCO ambassador, and that the organization Cap Anamur had not received any money from Krempin for maintaining a Congolese hospital, in contrast to her claims.[5] The Alliance '90/The Greens party members of the Landtag of Hesse subsequently demanded Krempin report the whereabouts of donations to her organization, which was not officially registered to receive them.[6]
On March 28, 2011, the state's attorney's office in Frankfurt am Main dropped charges against Krempin citing lack of suspicion. Krempin had rightfully gained her ambassador title by a suborganization of the United Nations and the whereabouts of donations had been cleared.[7]
Krempin is married to a German metal industrialist, and has two children.[1]