Maxim Leo, born 1970 in Eastern Berlin, trained as a chemical laboratory technician, then went on to study political science and became a journalist. In 2006 he received the Theodor-Wolff-Award. He won the European Book Award in 2011 for his autobiographical work „Haltet euer Herz bereit“ („Keep your heart ready“). Maxim Leo lives in Berlin with his wife and two children.