Schmidtmer worked onstage in Germany from 1961–63, then turned to photographic modelling for German fashion and nude magazines and later, "Playboy" in the USA. She modelled for advertising companies, namely Max Factor Cosmetics, before she started her movie career. She was hired as their featured model and introduced at the New York World's Fair in 1964 followed by an American tour with visits to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Chicago. After her return to Los Angeles, she met polyglot language teacher and publisher Michel Thomas for the first time in August 1965 at the Chateau Marmont Hotel. The two began a long love relationship a short time later.