Have you ever wondered what it’s like to love someone whose job involves risking death every weekend? Marlene Knaus knows this feeling better than most people on Earth. She spent 15 years married to Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, watching him race at speeds that could kill him in seconds.
Most people know Niki Lauda as the fearless three-time Formula 1 World Champion who survived one of racing’s most horrific crashes. But behind every great comeback story stands someone who picks up the pieces when everything falls apart. For Lauda, that person was Marlene Knaus – a woman whose strength during his darkest moments helped create one of motorsport’s most legendary comebacks.
You’re about to discover the untold story of the Chilean-Austrian beauty who went from Vienna socialite to Formula 1 wife, and why she chose to disappear from public life completely.
Marlene Knaus Bio/Wiki
| Personal Information | Details |
| Full Name | Marlene Knaus |
| Birth Date | December 28, 1948 |
| Nationality | Chilean-Austrian |
| Occupation | Former Model, Photographer, Interior Designer |
| Marriage to Niki Lauda | 1976-1991 (15 years) |
| Children | Mathias Lauda (1979), Lukas Lauda (1981) |
| Current Residence | Ibiza, Spain |
| Famous For | Supporting Niki Lauda’s career and comeback |
Early Life and Professional Career
Picture Vienna in the 1960s – a city rebuilding itself after war, where fashion and culture were exploding back to life. Marlene Knaus was born on December 28, 1948, right in the heart of this transformation. She didn’t just witness the 1960s fashion scene – she helped shape it.
Knaus wasn’t your typical fashion model. While other girls were following trends, she was creating them with her signature loose hairdo that became iconic across Austria. Her natural elegance and poise made her the kind of socialite everyone wanted to know.
What sets her apart was her diverse creative talents – Marlene was simultaneously working as a photographer and interior designer. This media-shy woman was building her own creative empire long before she met the man who would change her life forever.
Meeting Niki Lauda and Marriage
The Romance Begins
Want to know how a simple dinner party can change two lives forever? In 1975, Marlene Knaus was dating German-Austrian actor Curt Jürgens – you might remember him as the villain Stromberg in the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me.” She was already living in celebrity circles, but nothing prepared her for meeting Niki Lauda.
The connection was instant and undeniable. Lauda was just establishing himself as one of Formula 1’s most promising drivers, racing for Ferrari. Their brief courtship lasted only months before they decided to marry.
On their wedding day in 1976, Marlene wasn’t just marrying a man – she was marrying into the dangerous world of motorsport. Little did she know that within months, she’d face the ultimate test of love and loyalty.
Celebrity Status
Suddenly, Marlene Knaus went from Vienna fashion circles to international celebrity couple status. The media couldn’t get enough of the beautiful former model and the fearless racing driver. Their love story was making page three headlines across Europe.
Knaus always preferred staying out of the spotlight, even during these early days. She supported Niki’s career while trying to maintain some privacy – a balance that would become increasingly difficult as his fame grew.
Racing weekends meant watching Lauda climb into a machine that could kill him at any moment. This was the reality of being a Formula 1 wife in the 1970s.
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The 1976 Nürburgring Crash: A Defining Moment
August 1, 1976 – this date changed everything for Marlene Knaus. During the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, Niki Lauda’s Ferrari burst into flames in one of motorsport history’s most horrific accidents. While her husband lay unconscious in a burning cockpit, fellow drivers risked their lives to pull him out.
Imagine getting that phone call. Your husband is dying, his face and lungs burned beyond recognition, and doctors are giving him last rites. This is where Marlene’s true character shone through – she never left his hospital bedside during those critical weeks.
Lauda himself said it best in a 2017 interview: “She was a fantastic woman in these difficult situations for her to still support me a hundred percent.” Just six weeks later, Niki was back behind the wheel – a miracle that wouldn’t have been possible without her unwavering support.
Family Life and Motherhood
Children and Tragedy
Motherhood brought new challenges for Marlene Knaus. She welcomed two sons: Mathias in 1979 and Lukas in 1981. But parenting boys whose father raced at deadly speeds every weekend meant constant worry and careful balance.
Here’s something most people don’t know – according to Niki Lauda’s memoir, Marlene and Niki also lost a baby around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix. This grief and loss added another layer of pain to their already stressful life. (News.Amomama)
Knaus worked hard to give her sons normal childhoods despite their father’s fame. She wanted them to understand the importance of resilience – lessons that would serve them well as they grew up in the motorsport world.
Sons’ Achievements
Both Mathias Lauda and Lukas Lauda inherited their parents’ determination, but chose different paths. Mathias followed his father into racing and became incredibly successful – he’s now a factory driver for Aston Martin Racing and won the 2017 FIA World Endurance GT AM Championship.
Lukas took a different route, becoming his brother’s manager through their company Lauda Sport Management based in Barcelona, Spain. The co-parenting approach Marlene and Niki used clearly worked – both sons became successful, grounded men.
You can see Marlene’s influence in how both sons handle success and adversity. They learned from watching their mother stay strong during their father’s most dangerous years.
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Marriage Challenges and Divorce
After 15 years of marriage, the pressures finally became too much. Lauda’s demanding career meant long separations, and persistent rumors of infidelity – including reports that he had fathered a son named Christoph through an extramarital affair – contributed to their marriage breakdown in 1991.
But here’s what impressed everyone who knew them – Marlene Knaus handled the divorce with remarkable dignity. No public battles, no media wars, no bitter custody fights. She chose dignity over drama in every decision.
The respectful exes they became set an example for how celebrity couples should handle separation. Even Alexandra Maria Lara, who portrayed Knaus in the 2013 film “Rush”, noted how they remained “soulmates” despite ending their romantic relationship.
Life After Divorce: Choosing Privacy
This is where Marlene Knaus made the most fascinating choice of her life. Instead of leveraging her fame for new opportunities, she completely disappeared from public view. As noted in reports, she moved to Ibiza, Spain, and created a private lifestyle that’s almost unheard of in today’s social media world.
In 2014, Knaus even deactivated her social media presence, making her commitment to privacy over publicity absolute. While other celebrity wives were building Instagram empires, she was choosing peace and anonymity.
Her life out of spotlight in Ibiza includes pursuing creative pursuits like interior design. She’s reportedly never entered into new relationships, instead focusing on her post-divorce lifestyle of art, design, and quiet contentment.
Cultural Legacy: The “Rush” Connection
Ron Howard’s 2013 film “Rush“ brought Marlene Knaus’ story to a new generation. Romanian-German actress Alexandra Maria Lara portrayed her, showing audiences the woman behind Lauda’s legendary comeback story.
The film portrayal emphasized something most people missed in the original news coverage – Knaus wasn’t just a supportive wife, she was the emotional foundation that made Niki’s return to racing possible. Without her strength during crisis, there might not have been a comeback story at all.
Lara’s portrayal showed how celebrity wives often sacrifice their own dreams to support their partner’s dangerous ambitions. The movie helped people understand what it really costs to love someone in Formula 1.
Continued Connection and Final Years
Even after Niki remarried flight attendant Birgit Wetzinger in 2008, Marlene maintained a cordial relationship with her ex-husband. This respectful relationship showed the deep bond they’d forged through shared experiences that few couples ever face.
When Lauda faced his final health battle in 2019, both Marlene and Birgit took turns sitting by his hospital bed in Zurich, Switzerland (TheSun). Can you imagine that level of mutual respect and shared concern? It’s almost unheard of in celebrity circles.
When Niki Lauda passed away on May 20, 2019, at age 70, Knaus had to process not just losing her former husband, but the end of a connection that had defined a huge part of her identity.
Financial Legacy and Lauda’s Final Tribute
Here’s something that shows Niki Lauda’s character right up until the end – according to reports from German magazine Bunte about Lauda’s will, he made sure Marlene Knaus was financially provided for even decades after their divorce.
The inheritance included a significant sum and reportedly the house in Ibiza where she continues to live. This wasn’t legally required, but Lauda wanted to honor the sacrifices she’d made during their years together.
This gesture demonstrated the respect Niki maintained for Marlene throughout his life. Even in death, he was acknowledging that her support during his comeback years deserved recognition and security.
Key Achievements:
- Influential 1960s Vienna fashion model
- Supported husband through near-fatal 1976 crash
- Raised two successful sons in motorsport world
- Maintained dignity through high-profile divorce
- Successfully transitioned to private life in Ibiza
Interesting Facts:
- Deactivated all social media in 2014
- Previously dated James Bond villain actor Curt Jürgens
- Portrayed by Alexandra Maria Lara in “Rush” movie
- Never remarried after 1991 divorce
- Still provided for in Niki Lauda’s will
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Conclusion
Marlene Knaus represents something rare in our celebrity-obsessed world – someone who chose privacy over publicity and built a meaningful life away from the spotlight. At 76 years old (as of 2025), she continues living quietly in her Ibiza home, having successfully created an identity separate from her famous past.
Her story teaches us about the hidden costs of sporting greatness and the strength required to support someone pursuing dangerous excellence. While Mathias continues racing and Lukas manages sports careers, the lessons of resilience and grace their mother taught them remain evident in everything they do.
Think about it – in a world where everyone fights for attention, Marlene Knaus chose peace. Her journey from Vienna socialite to Formula 1 wife to private Ibiza resident shows what real dignity looks like when the cameras stop rolling.
FAQ’s About Marlene Knaus
What nationality is Marlene Knaus?
Marlene Knaus is Chilean-Austrian with Venezuelan ethnicity, gaining Austrian citizenship after marrying Niki Lauda.
Why did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda divorce?
They divorced in 1991 after 15 years due to career pressures, long separations, and infidelity rumors including Christoph Lauda’s birth.
Where does Marlene Knaus live now?
She maintains a private lifestyle in Ibiza, Spain, completely away from media attention since 1991.
Did Marlene Knaus remarry after divorcing Niki Lauda?
No, Knaus has remained single and focused on creative pursuits and privacy since their 1991 divorce.
What was Marlene Knaus’ career before marriage?
She was a successful fashion model, photographer, and interior designer in 1960s Vienna.
How did the 1976 crash affect their marriage?
The Nürburgring crash strengthened their bond temporarily, with Marlene’s support being crucial to Niki’s comeback.
Are Marlene Knaus and her sons still close?
Yes, both Mathias and Lukas Lauda maintain strong relationships with their mother despite her private lifestyle.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information, media reports, and biographical sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details may be based on past interviews or secondary reporting and should be interpreted as part of a biographical narrative. Respect for Ms. Knaus’s privacy has been maintained throughout.
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