Maria von Welser rose to fame in 1988 as the editor and host of the women’s television journal "ML Mona Lisa". In 2001, she left Germany to become the Director of the ZDF foreign studio in London. In August she transferred to the top management of the North German Broadcasting Company where she holds the position of Director of the National Broadcasting Studio in Hamburg.

Maria von Welser is also a member of the UNICEF German Committee since 1995 and was elected to the position of Vice-Chairwoman for UNICEF Germany in April 2008.