Marlene Knaus is a former model best known as the first wife of Formula One legend Niki Lauda. The couple married in 1976 and had two sons, Lukas and Mathias Lauda, before divorcing in 1991.
Marlene was with Niki during an important period of his Formula One career. She supported him after his serious 1976 Nürburgring crash and was seen with him at several races. After their divorce, she largely left public life and is reported to live in Ibiza, Spain.
Marlene Knaus’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marlene Knaus |
| Birth year | 1956, reported |
| Exact birthday | Not publicly confirmed |
| Birthplace | United States, reported |
| Nationality | American-Austrian, reported |
| Family background | Venezuelan ancestry, reported |
| Profession | Former model |
| Also worked as | Designer, according to reports |
| Known for | Being Niki Lauda’s first wife |
| Former partner | Curt Jürgens |
| Ex-husband | Niki Lauda |
| Marriage | 1976–1991 |
| Children | Lukas Lauda and Mathias Lauda |
| Current residence | Ibiza, Spain, reported |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Social media | No known public profiles |
Marlene Knaus’s Age and Early Life
Marlene Knaus was reportedly born in 1956. If that year is correct, she is around 70 years old in 2026, depending on her birthday.
Her exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed.
Some reports say she was born in the United States to a family with Venezuelan ancestry. Her specific birthplace is not publicly known.
Marlene Knaus’s Parents and Siblings
Marlene’s parents have not been publicly identified.
There is also no reliable information about whether she has brothers or sisters.
Marlene Knaus’s Nationality
Marlene has been described as American-Austrian.
Some reports claim she gained Austrian citizenship after marrying Niki Lauda. However, detailed public records supporting this claim are limited.
Marlene Knaus’s Education
Marlene’s educational background is not publicly known.
There is no confirmed information about the schools or universities she attended.
Marlene Knaus’s Modeling Career
Marlene worked as a model before becoming widely known through her relationship with Niki Lauda.
Reports describe her as a fashion model who appeared in magazines and worked with different brands. However, specific magazine covers, modeling agencies, and brands have not been clearly documented in the available information.
Some sources say she started modeling during the 1960s. This claim should be treated carefully because it would mean she began modeling at a very young age based on her reported 1956 birth year.
Marlene Knaus’s Fashion and Design Work
Marlene was known for her fashion style during her modeling years.
Some reports describe her as an “It Girl” and claim that her loose hairstyle became popular among women.
She has also been described as a designer. However, no specific fashion company, collection, or design project has been reliably identified.
Marlene Knaus and Curt Jürgens
Before Niki Lauda, Marlene was in a relationship with German-Austrian actor Curt Jürgens.
The two were photographed together several times.
They were reportedly seen together at Jürgens’ chalet in Switzerland in 1974.
Marlene and Curt were also photographed attending a wedding in Hamburg, Germany, on August 9, 1975.
Their relationship ended before Marlene married Niki.
How Did Marlene Knaus Meet Niki Lauda?
Reports differ about exactly how Marlene and Niki first met.
One account says they met at a dinner party hosted by Curt Jürgens in 1975.
Another says their relationship began at a party hosted by Marlene in Salzburg.
There is also a published photo caption that places Marlene and Niki together at Brands Hatch in 1974, which conflicts with the reported 1975 meeting date.
What is clear is that they met socially in the mid-1970s while Marlene was still linked to Curt Jürgens.
Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda’s Marriage
Marlene and Niki married in 1976, only a short time after they reportedly met.
The exact wedding date and location are not clearly confirmed in the available information.
Their marriage lasted until 1991.
They had two sons together and were married during some of the most important years of Niki’s Formula One career.
Who Was Niki Lauda?
Niki Lauda was an Austrian Formula One driver, motorsport executive, and aviation businessman.
His full name was Andreas Nikolaus Lauda.
He became a three-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion, winning the title in:
- 1975
- 1977
- 1984
He won championships while racing for Ferrari and McLaren.
Niki later became involved in aviation businesses, including Lauda Air, Niki, and Laudamotion.
He died in 2019 at age 70.
Niki Lauda’s 1976 Nürburgring Crash
Niki suffered a serious accident on August 1, 1976, during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.
His Ferrari left the track, hit a barrier, and caught fire.
Niki became trapped in the burning car. Other drivers stopped to help rescue him.
Driver Arturo Merzario was among those who helped free him from the wreckage.
Niki Lauda’s Injuries
Niki suffered serious burns to his head and inhaled hot toxic gases during the accident.
The crash caused lasting damage and scarring.
He lost much of his right ear as well as hair on the right side of his head, eyebrows, and eyelids.
He later underwent treatment, including surgery to restore the function of his eyelids.
His scars became one reason he regularly wore a cap in public.
Marlene Supported Niki After the Crash
Marlene supported Niki during his recovery.
She reportedly disliked the dangers of Formula One racing but continued supporting his career.
Niki later spoke positively about the support she gave him during difficult periods.
He returned to racing only about six weeks after the Nürburgring accident.
Marlene at Niki Lauda’s Formula One Races
Marlene attended Formula One events with Niki during their marriage.
She was with him when he returned to racing at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in September 1976.
She was also photographed at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in 1977.
Her public appearances during this period were mainly connected to Niki’s racing career.
Marlene and Niki Lauda Lost a Baby
According to an account based on Niki’s memoir, Marlene and Niki experienced the loss of a baby around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Few details have been made public.
The baby’s name, exact date, and other information have not been confirmed.
Marlene Knaus’s Children
Marlene and Niki had two sons:
Lukas Lauda and Mathias Lauda.
Both later became involved in motorsport, although in different ways.
Who Is Lukas Lauda?
Lukas Lauda was reportedly born in 1979.
Instead of becoming a professional racing driver, he became involved in motorsport management.
Reports have linked him with Lauda Sport Management in Barcelona.
He has also worked in connection with his younger brother Mathias’s racing career.
Who Is Mathias Lauda?
Mathias Lauda was reportedly born in 1981.
He followed his father into professional motor racing.
Mathias competed in several racing championships and became a successful endurance racing driver.
He won the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship GTE Am title.
He has also raced with Aston Martin Racing.
Who Is Christoph Lauda?
Niki Lauda had another son named Christoph outside his marriage to Marlene.
Reports say Christoph was born in 1982 following Niki’s relationship with another woman.
Christoph is Niki’s son but is not Marlene’s biological child.
Why Did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda Divorce?
Marlene and Niki divorced in 1991 after about 16 years of marriage.
They did not publicly give a detailed explanation for their divorce.
Some reports have suggested that Niki’s relationships outside the marriage contributed to their split. However, this has not been clearly established as the official reason for their divorce.
Marlene and Niki’s Relationship After Divorce
Marlene and Niki reportedly remained on friendly terms after their divorce.
Actress Alexandra Maria Lara, who later portrayed Marlene in the film Rush, described the former couple as remaining close after their marriage ended.
Reports also say Marlene continued to have a relationship with Niki’s family.
Marlene Knaus and Birgit Wetzinger
Some reports say Marlene and Birgit had a cooperative relationship, particularly during Niki’s later health problems.
They reportedly helped care for him while he was ill.
However, detailed information about their personal relationship is limited.
Niki Lauda’s Death
Niki Lauda died on May 20, 2019, at age 70.
He had experienced serious health problems during his later years.
He underwent a kidney transplant in 1997 and another kidney transplant after Birgit Wetzinger donated one of her kidneys.
He also underwent a double lung transplant in 2018.
Reports say he died while receiving medical treatment in Zürich, Switzerland.
Marlene Knaus’s Life After Divorce
Marlene largely left the public spotlight after her divorce from Niki.
She did not build the same public profile that she had during her modeling years and marriage.
There is no reliable information confirming that she remarried.
Her later romantic relationships, if any, have remained private.
Where Is Marlene Knaus Now?
Marlene is reported to live in Ibiza, Spain.
Some reports claim she lives in a home purchased by Niki Lauda.
However, Marlene keeps her current life private, and detailed information about her daily activities is not publicly available.
Marlene Knaus’s Divorce Settlement
Some reports claim Marlene received a substantial financial settlement when she and Niki divorced.
A reliable amount has not been publicly confirmed.
Claims about her divorce settlement should therefore not be treated as established financial facts.
Did Marlene Knaus Inherit Niki Lauda’s Money?
There are reports that Marlene received part of Niki Lauda’s wealth or estate.
However, the exact amount and legal details are not clearly established in the available information.
Niki’s estate also became the subject of legal matters involving his second wife, Birgit Wetzinger.
It would be inaccurate to give a specific inheritance amount for Marlene without reliable legal records.
Marlene Knaus’s Net Worth
Marlene Knaus’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Niki Lauda was widely reported to have built substantial wealth through racing, business, and aviation, but his wealth should not be treated as Marlene’s personal net worth.
Marlene Knaus’s Social Media
Marlene does not have any widely known verified public social media profiles.
One report claims she deactivated her social media in 2014, but the specific platform or account was not identified.
She has maintained a private life away from regular public attention.
Facts About Marlene Knaus
- Marlene Knaus was reportedly born in 1956.
- Her exact birthday has not been publicly confirmed.
- She is reported to have been born in the United States.
- Some reports say her family has Venezuelan ancestry.
- She worked as a model.
- She has also been described as a designer.
- Marlene previously dated actor Curt Jürgens.
- She married Niki Lauda in 1976.
- She supported Niki during his Formula One career.
- Niki suffered his serious Nürburgring crash on August 1, 1976.
- Marlene was with him during his return to Formula One racing.
- Marlene and Niki had two sons, Lukas and Mathias Lauda.
- The couple also reportedly experienced the loss of a baby.
- Mathias became a professional racing driver.
- Lukas became involved in motorsport management.
- Marlene and Niki divorced in 1991.
- They reportedly remained friendly after their divorce.
- Alexandra Maria Lara portrayed Marlene in the 2013 film Rush.
- Niki Lauda died in 2019 at age 70.
- Marlene is reported to live in Ibiza, Spain.
- She has no widely known verified public social media profiles.
- Her personal net worth is not reliably known.
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