
Fanny was born in Hamburg, Germany on Nov 14, 1805. She was the oldest child in the Mendelssohn-Bartholdy family, older (by more than three years) sister of Felix Mendelssohn.
As with the other children in the family she was instructed in piano playing, music composition, violin playing, drawing and general education. She married a painter, W. Hensel (1794-1861).
Suddenly, on May 17, 1847, she died in Berlin.
Fanny was a valuable confidante for Felix, and kept a diary that provides much important information on his life.
Her compositions include songs, choral works (cantatas, oratorios) and piano works.