Born Susanne Helm in Suhl, she finished seventh at the 1983 World Championships and fourth at the 1986 European Championships. She began the 1987 season well with a win at the Hochsprung mit Musik meeting, taking the title with a leap of 2.00 m. She maintained her form indoors and won the silver medal at the 1987 World Indoor Championships with a lifetime best of 2.02 metres. Her season peaked with a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships, scoring a lifetime outdoor best of 1.99 metres. At the European Indoor Championships she won the silver in 1985 and a bronze in 1987.