Marlene Knaus is best known as the first wife of Niki Lauda. He was one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history. Yet her life was not only about his racing career.
She worked as a model before their marriage. She also became part of a famous racing family. Her story includes love, family, fear, divorce, and friendship.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Marlene Knaus |
| Known for | First wife of Niki Lauda |
| Early family link | Valdivia, Chile |
| Work | Model and photomodel |
| Former partner | Curd Jürgens |
| Husband | Niki Lauda |
| Marriage year | 1976 |
| Divorce year | 1991 |
| Children | Lukas Lauda and Mathias Lauda |
| Lukas Lauda | Born in 1979 |
| Mathias Lauda | Born in 1981 |
| Film portrayal | Alexandra Maria Lara in Rush |
Early Life of Marlene Knaus
Marlene Knaus has a clear family link to Valdivia, Chile. Her son Lukas later spoke about this part of the family. He said his mother and her siblings grew up there.
Lukas also said his mother taught him Spanish. This shows that Chile stayed part of family life. It also gives a direct view of her early years.
Some websites give an exact birth date for her. Strong records do not agree on that detail. So it is safer not to state one.
Her Work as a Model
Before she married Lauda, she worked as a model. Old news reports called her a photomodel. This is one of the clearest facts about her early work.
She also appeared in social photos in Europe. Archive images show her with actor Curd Jürgens in 1975. She was known in public circles before her marriage.
Some modern pages call her a photographer or designer. Strong records do not prove those claims. So model is the safest term to use.
How Did Marlene Knaus Meet Niki Lauda?
Before Lauda, she had a relationship with Curd Jürgens. He was a well known actor in Europe. Photos from 1975 show the two together.
Lauda later said he met her at a party. This detail came from Lauda himself. It differs from the meeting shown in Rush.
Their bond grew fast after that meeting. They soon chose to marry. Their wedding came during a key time in Lauda’s career.
Marriage to Niki Lauda
Marlene Knaus married Niki Lauda on March 11, 1976. The wedding was a small civil event. It took place in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Lauda was already a major racing star. He had won the 1975 Formula One title. He won it while driving for Ferrari.
Their new marriage soon faced a huge test. Less than five months later, Lauda had a terrible crash. It changed his life and their home life.
Niki Lauda’s 1976 Crash
On August 1, 1976, Lauda crashed at the Nürburgring. He was racing in the German Grand Prix. His Ferrari caught fire after the crash.
Lauda suffered serious burns and lung damage. He was in very poor health. His condition became a major news story.
Marlene Knaus visited him in the hospital. Their first months of marriage became very hard. She watched her husband fight to recover.
Lauda returned to racing only six weeks later. He raced at the Italian Grand Prix. His return became part of Formula One history.
Why Did She Fear Racing?
After the crash, racing became a source of fear. Lauda later spoke about his return to the track. He said they discussed it many times.
She did not want him to race so soon. She had seen how close he came to death. She knew another bad crash could happen.
Their son Lukas later spoke about this fear. He said motorsport was almost banned at home. His mother wanted to keep the family safe.
Even so, one son later became a racing driver. Mathias Lauda chose motorsport as his career. This gave the family another link to racing.
Niki Lauda’s Career
Lauda had a great career during their years together. He won the 1975 and 1977 world titles. Both titles came with Ferrari.
He later won a third title with McLaren. That championship came in 1984. It made him a three time Formula One champion.
He left Formula One after the 1985 season. He ended his career with 25 Grand Prix wins. His name was already part of racing history.
She was seen with him at some race events. Archive photos show the couple in the paddock. She became part of his public racing life.
Her Sons: Lukas and Mathias Lauda
The couple had two sons together. Lukas Lauda was born in 1979. Mathias Lauda was born in 1981.
Mathias followed his father into racing. He drove in several racing series. He also raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Mathias won the 2017 LMGTE Am drivers’ title. He raced with Aston Martin Racing. His career kept the Lauda name in motorsport.
Lukas took a different path for many years. He worked as Mathias’s manager. He later also took part in rally events.
Divorce
Marlene Knaus and Lauda divorced in 1991. Their marriage had lasted about 15 years. The divorce did not end their family bond.
Lauda later spoke kindly about his former wife. He said they stayed friends. He also spoke about shared meals and family time.
Their friendship after divorce became a key part of their story. They had spent many important years together. They also shared two sons.
Their children kept the family connected. Family events brought them together over the years. This bond continued long after the divorce.
Niki Lauda’s Later Family
Lauda married Birgit Wetzinger in 2008. They later had twins. Their names are Max Lauda and Mia Lauda.
Lauda said his two families spent time together. He spoke about meals and holidays with them. This shows that old family ties stayed strong.
She also remained part of that wider family circle. Family comments support this part of the story. Her bond with Lauda did not end in 1991.
That close link lasted for many years. It also kept the family together at major events. One came after Lauda died in 2019.
Marlene Knaus in the Film Rush
The 2013 film Rush told Lauda’s racing story. It also focused on his rivalry with James Hunt. Ron Howard directed the movie.
Daniel Brühl played Niki Lauda. Chris Hemsworth played James Hunt. Alexandra Maria Lara played Marlene Knaus.
The film showed her as part of Lauda’s private life. It also showed the fear after his 1976 crash. Some parts were changed for drama.
Lauda later corrected one detail from the film. He said their first meeting happened at a party. The movie showed it in a different way.
Life After Niki Lauda’s Death
Lauda died on May 20, 2019. He was 70 years old. His death brought the racing world together.
His funeral took place on May 29, 2019. It was held at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. Knaus attended the service.
Other members of the Lauda family were there. Her presence showed their lasting family bond. She had shared many years of his life.
She later returned to her private life. Few strong reports cover her daily routine. Her choice for privacy has continued.
Where Is Marlene Knaus Now?
She has kept a low profile for many years. She has no major public role today. She also rarely speaks to the press.
Older interviews connect her with Ibiza, Spain. Lauda also spoke about family summers there. This confirms a family link with the island.
There is little strong recent news about her home. So an exact current address should not be claimed. The same is true for wealth figures.
Her present life remains mostly private. Yet her place in the Lauda family is clear. Her story remains linked to Formula One history.
Bottom Line
Marlene Knaus lived through a famous Formula One era. She married a world champion. She also saw him survive a terrible crash.
She raised two sons during years of public attention. One son later became a race car driver. The other worked closely with his brother.
Her own public story is much quieter. She worked as a model before marriage. She later chose a life away from fame.
Her story is best told through known facts. There is no need for guesses about money or age. The facts already tell an important story.
FAQs
Who is Marlene Knaus?
She is a former model and the first wife of Niki Lauda. They married in 1976 and divorced in 1991.
When did Marlene Knaus marry Niki Lauda?
She married Lauda on March 11, 1976. Their civil wedding took place in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
How many children did she have with Niki Lauda?
They had two sons. Their names are Lukas Lauda and Mathias Lauda. Mathias later became a racing driver.
Did she stay friends with Niki Lauda?
Yes. Lauda said they stayed friends after the divorce. They also spent time together at family events.
Was she at Niki Lauda’s funeral?
Yes. She attended his funeral in Vienna in May 2019. Members of the wider Lauda family also attended.