Marlene Knaus: Where Is Niki Lauda’s First Wife Now?

Marlene Knaus is a former model best known as the first wife of legendary Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda. She attracted public attention through her modeling career, distinctive style, and long marriage to one of motorsport’s biggest names. Readers also search for her to learn about her children, divorce, and life after leaving the spotlight. This article explores Marlene Knaus’s background, modeling career, relationship with Niki Lauda, their family, Lauda’s serious racing accident, their eventual divorce, and what her life looks like today.

Quick Bio

Who Is Marlene Knaus?

Marlene Knaus is a former model who became widely recognized during the 1970s, particularly after beginning a relationship with Austrian Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda. She was known for her fashionable appearance and was sometimes described as an “It Girl.” Her relationship with Lauda brought her into the international spotlight at a time when his racing career was reaching remarkable heights. Although she spent years around a globally famous sports personality, Marlene developed a reputation for valuing privacy. Following the end of their marriage, she gradually moved away from public attention and chose a much quieter lifestyle.

Marlene Knaus’s Age and Early Background

Marlene Knaus was born in 1956 in the United States, making her 70 years old in 2026. Her exact birthday has remained outside the spotlight. She comes from a family with Venezuelan ancestry and is described as American-Austrian. Her early family life did not become a major subject of media attention, especially compared with her later relationship with Niki Lauda. Before becoming connected with the Formula 1 world, Marlene was already building her own identity through fashion and modeling. Her appearance and personal style eventually helped her become recognizable during the period when she entered public life.

Marlene Knaus’s Modeling Career

Marlene Knaus began working as a model during the 1960s and became particularly recognized for her elegant fashion sense. Her appearance, including her signature loose hairstyle, helped make her a noticeable personality in fashion circles. She worked with prominent brands, appeared as a cover girl for magazines, and was also involved in design. Modeling provided Marlene with recognition before her marriage brought even greater media attention. Although her professional career eventually became overshadowed by her connection with Niki Lauda, fashion remained an important part of her story and explains why she was already familiar with public attention before becoming a Formula 1 celebrity spouse.

How Did Marlene Knaus Meet Niki Lauda?

Marlene Knaus met Niki Lauda in 1975, when both had other romantic connections in their lives. Before meeting Marlene, Lauda had reportedly been with Mariella Reininghaus for around eight years, while Marlene was dating actor Curt Jurgens. Their paths crossed at a dinner party hosted by Curt, and Marlene and Niki subsequently developed a relationship. Their romance quickly attracted attention because Lauda was already becoming an important figure in Formula 1. They regularly appeared together publicly, turning Marlene into a familiar face among racing fans. Their relationship progressed quickly, and within approximately a year of meeting, they decided to marry.

Marriage to Niki Lauda

Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda married in 1976, beginning a marriage that would last around 16 years. Marlene also gained Austrian citizenship after their marriage. During their years together, Lauda established himself as one of Formula 1’s greatest champions, winning world titles in 1975, 1977, and 1984. He raced successfully for famous teams including Ferrari and McLaren and later became involved in aviation through businesses such as Lauda Air. Marlene experienced many of the major events surrounding his career while also raising their family. Their marriage remained an important part of both their lives until they eventually separated and divorced in 1991.

Niki Lauda’s Life-Changing 1976 Crash

One of the most difficult periods of their marriage came shortly after their wedding. On 1 August 1976, Niki Lauda suffered a horrifying Formula 1 accident when his Ferrari crashed, struck a barrier, and caught fire. He became trapped inside the burning car before other drivers helped rescue him. Lauda suffered serious burns to his head and hands and inhaled toxic gases that badly affected his lungs and blood. Despite these injuries, he made an extraordinary recovery and returned to racing. The accident left permanent scars, damaged his right ear, and caused him to lose hair around parts of his head and face.

Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda’s Children

Marlene and Niki welcomed two sons during their marriage. Their eldest child, Lucas Lauda, was born in 1979, followed by Mathias Lauda in 1981. Both sons remained connected to the world their father knew so well, although they followed different professional paths. Mathias became a racing driver, continuing the Lauda family’s motorsport connection, while Lucas became involved in managing his brother. Niki also had another son, Christoph, who was born in 1982 following a relationship outside his marriage. Despite difficulties surrounding their family life, Marlene and Niki continued their marriage for several more years while raising their children.

Why Did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda Divorce?

Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda ended their marriage in 1991 after approximately 16 years together. Neither turned the details of their separation into an extended public discussion. Their marriage had experienced personal challenges over the years, including Niki’s relationships outside the marriage. His son Christoph was born in 1982 following an affair with another woman, but Marlene remained with Niki for years afterward. Eventually, however, their marriage came to an end. Rather than building a public narrative around the divorce, Marlene largely stepped away from attention, making her post-marriage life considerably more private than her years alongside the Formula 1 champion.

Marlene Knaus’s Life After Divorce

Following the divorce, Marlene Knaus adopted an increasingly private lifestyle. Information about later romantic relationships became scarce, and she did not pursue the kind of public celebrity career that might have kept her regularly in entertainment headlines. Niki’s personal life, meanwhile, continued to receive attention. He briefly dated racing driver Giovanna Amati in 1992 and later met flight attendant Birgit Wetzinger. Birgit donated a kidney to Niki in 2005 after a previously transplanted kidney failed. Niki and Birgit married in 2008 and later welcomed twins, Max and Mia. Marlene continued living largely outside the public spotlight during these developments.

Marlene’s Relationship With Niki After Their Divorce

Although their marriage ended, Marlene and Niki did not completely disappear from each other’s lives. Marlene reportedly maintained close relationships with her former husband and members of his family and continued attending some family occasions. Their ability to remain connected became particularly meaningful during the final stage of Niki’s life. Marlene and Niki’s second wife, Birgit Wetzinger, reportedly shared responsibilities while he was seriously ill in hospital. Both women were with him around the end of his life. This continued family connection showed that Marlene’s relationship with the wider Lauda family extended well beyond the formal end of her marriage.

Niki Lauda’s Death and Health Struggles

Niki Lauda died on 20 May 2019 while receiving medical care at the University Hospital of Zürich. He was 70 years old. His health had been affected for decades by injuries connected with his devastating 1976 racing accident. The hot gases he inhaled during the crash caused serious lung damage, and later in life he experienced additional medical problems. He underwent kidney transplants in 1997 and 2015 and received a double lung transplant in 2018. Lauda eventually died in his sleep while undergoing kidney dialysis. His death marked the end of an extraordinary life that included Formula 1 championships, aviation businesses, and an enduring influence on motorsport.

Niki Lauda’s Estate and Family

Niki Lauda’s estate later became the subject of a legal dispute involving his second wife, Birgit Wetzinger. In 2024, Birgit received 16% of the assets connected with her late husband following an inheritance case. She had sought an inheritance reportedly valued between €20 million and €30 million. Niki’s older children from his marriage to Marlene had been included in his earlier arrangements, while Birgit and their twins were not included in the same way. She challenged the situation through legal proceedings and ultimately received a share. The case brought renewed public attention to Lauda’s family several years after his death.

Where Is Marlene Knaus Now?

Marlene Knaus has continued to live a quiet life away from the regular attention surrounding Formula 1 celebrities. She resides in Ibiza, Spain, where she lives in a home connected with her former husband. Following their divorce, she received a substantial settlement and maintained close connections with members of the Lauda family. Unlike many personalities associated with famous sports figures, Marlene has not actively pursued a highly visible social media presence. She deactivated her social media in 2014 and appears to prefer spending her time privately, particularly with family, rather than maintaining the public lifestyle associated with her younger years.

Marlene Knaus’s Personality and Interests

Away from modeling and her famous marriage, Marlene Knaus is associated with a number of simple personal interests. She enjoys spending time with her family and has a love for animals. She is also described as a good cook. These quieter interests fit naturally with the private lifestyle she adopted after leaving the intense public attention surrounding her marriage. During her younger years, she was recognized for her fashion sense, stylish hair, and presence as a model. Later in life, however, she largely exchanged that public image for privacy, making family and personal life a more noticeable part of her story.

Final Thoughts

Marlene Knaus became widely known through her marriage to Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, but her story also includes her earlier career as a model and designer. She experienced some extraordinary periods alongside Lauda, including his championship success, devastating 1976 crash, recovery, and their years raising Lucas and Mathias. Their marriage ended in 1991, yet Marlene continued to share a meaningful connection with the Lauda family. Today, she lives a much more private life in Ibiza, Spain. Her decision to remain outside the spotlight has made her an intriguing figure for people interested in Niki Lauda’s personal and family history.

FAQs About Marlene Knaus

How old is Marlene Knaus in 2026?

Marlene Knaus is 70 years old in 2026. She was born in 1956 in the United States. Her exact date of birth has remained private.

Who was Marlene Knaus married to?

Marlene Knaus was married to Austrian Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda. They married in 1976 and remained together for around 16 years before divorcing in 1991.

How many children does Marlene Knaus have?

Marlene Knaus has two sons with Niki Lauda. Their eldest son, Lucas Lauda, was born in 1979, while their younger son, Mathias Lauda, was born in 1981.

Why did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda divorce?

Marlene and Niki Lauda divorced in 1991 after a long marriage. They did not extensively discuss their separation publicly, although Niki’s relationships outside their marriage were associated with difficulties in their relationship.

Where is Marlene Knaus now?

Marlene Knaus lives in Ibiza, Spain. After her divorce from Niki Lauda, she largely withdrew from public attention and chose a private lifestyle focused on her family and personal life.