“Sound of Music” Child Star Explains Why She Left Hollywood, Reveals Scary Incident She Suffered at the White House (Exclusive)
- - “Sound of Music” Child Star Explains Why She Left Hollywood, Reveals Scary Incident She Suffered at the White House (Exclusive)
Scott Huver, Angela AndaloroDecember 23, 2025 at 4:30 AM
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Screen Archives/Getty; SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
Marta Von Trapp, 2017 Blue Room Christmas Tree at the White House -
Debbie Turner played Marta Von Trapp in the classic, The Sound of Music
Turner moved on from acting soon after the iconic film, settling into life as a florist
Speaking with PEOPLE 60 years after the film's premiere, Turner shares details about her experience decorating at the White House during Christmas time
The Sound of Music cast went on to lead fascinating lives, both inside and outside of the entertainment industry.
Debbie Turner, who played Marta Von Trapp in the beloved musical film, spoke with PEOPLE about her professional life after the movie. Turner appeared in just one other film in 1979 before moving on from acting altogether.
"I was a floral designer for many years. I've designed weddings. I even designed one in the Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg many years ago. I've done some really nice weddings. I have been a decorator for the White House for Christmas. That was a really neat experience — probably one of the most physically grueling and cool things I've ever done," she shared.
Turner lent her talents to the White House in 2017, helping President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump get the historic home ready for the holiday season, building what became a much-talked about Christmas display.
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Stefanie Keenan/WireImage
Kym Karath, Heather Menzies and Debbie Turner during the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival on March 26, 2015 in Los Angeles
"It was a week-long deal. It was me and 149 other designers that they put to task to do all these things to make the magic of Christmas at the White House happen. So I was just thrilled to be a part of that," she explained.
Of working with the First Lady, Turner shared, "Melania is actually the one who works with the lead person to put the White House together."
"The most proud moment of that house was doing the largest tree, which is in the Blue Room. They call it the People's Tree. And I got to decorate the People's Tree, which was kind of the centerpiece or the focal piece of the entire White House," she beamed.
Though it was "pretty amazing," she admits, "I had to go up on scaffolding. I almost fell and killed myself. It was really cool."
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room, 2017
As for returning again, Turner says she's hopeful to get the opportunity again. "I haven't let that go completely. I might try and get involved again," she shared.
Outside of possible work with the White House, Turner says she's "kind of retired."
"My husband retired this past year and I thought, 'Well, I don't need to keep doing this.' I've been doing weddings for a long time and, as a wedding florist, it's a very taxing job. And so, I mean, physically hard to do it. I love designing, but I just turned 69, and it's like, 'I'm getting too old for this stuff,'" she explains.
"So I'm kind of pulling back. I mean, if something came along that would be really amazing, I'd probably step back into it. But for all practical purposes, I'm retired. So now it's grandkids time!"
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
