Even though Marlene Knaus left the spotlight many years ago, people still remember her. Why? Because she lived a life full of beauty, fame, and powerful moments. She was once married to Niki Lauda, one of the most famous Formula 1 drivers of all time. Their love story was known around the world.
But after their divorce, Marlene disappeared from public life. She chose peace over fame. That decision made people even more curious about her. In this article, we’ll explore who Marlene really is, how she met Niki Lauda, what their life was like together, and where she is now in 2026.
Marlene Knaus Quick Bio
| Full Name | Marlene Knaus |
| Known As | Niki Lauda’s ex-wife |
| Birth Year | 1956 |
| Age (2026) | 70 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Ethnicity | Venezuelan roots |
| Nationality | American-Austrian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Niki Lauda (m. 1976 – div. 1991) |
| Children | Lukas Lauda, Mathias Lauda |
| Profession | Former model, Interior designer |
| Famous For | Marriage to Niki Lauda |
| Current Residence | Ibiza, Spain |
| Net Worth (2026) | Around $50 million |
| Still Alive? | Yes |
Marlene Knaus, The Woman Behind the Fame
Before becoming known as Niki Lauda’s ex-wife, Marlene Knaus was already famous in her own way. She was born in 1956 in the United States and has Venezuelan roots. Even as a young woman, Marlene stood out. She was elegant, graceful, and always stayed calm, even in the middle of attention.
She became a well-known model in the 1960s and 70s. People loved her soft, natural beauty. She didn’t try too hard — and that made her even more popular. Her style was simple but classy. Her signature messy hairstyle became a trend, copied by many women at the time.
Even though she was often photographed and admired, Marlene didn’t chase fame. She was always quiet, kind, and private. That made her very different from many other public figures of the time.
What Made Marlene Knaus Famous Before Niki Lauda
Long before she met the racing legend, Marlene had a name of her own. As a model, she worked with top fashion brands and was featured in big magazines. Her look was fresh, natural, and easygoing. She wasn’t loud or flashy, but she had a presence that was hard to ignore.
She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, and she didn’t need it. Her simple hairstyle — loose, natural, and a bit wild — became part of her image. Women loved it because it looked beautiful without trying too hard.
Later in life, after modeling, she also worked as an interior designer. We don’t know much about her design work, but it shows she had a creative side beyond just modeling. She clearly enjoyed beauty and elegance in all parts of life — not just in what she wore, but also in the spaces around her.
How Marlene Knaus Met Niki Lauda
Their love story started at a dinner party in 1975. At that time, both Marlene and Niki were in other relationships. Marlene was dating the actor Curt Jurgens, and Niki was engaged to another woman, Mariella von Reininghaus. But that night, something changed.
They felt a strong connection right away. It didn’t take long before they left their past relationships behind and started dating each other. Their quick romance surprised people, but it also showed how deep their connection really was.
Some say Niki liked Marlene because she didn’t care about fame. She didn’t try to impress anyone. She was just herself — calm, classy, and natural. That made her stand out to someone like Niki, who lived in the fast and wild world of Formula 1.
Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda’s High-Profile Marriage
Marlene and Niki got married in 1976, just one year after they met. By then, Niki Lauda was already one of the most famous drivers in the world. Being his wife meant being in the spotlight. They went to races, events, and photo shoots. But Marlene always stayed calm, never trying to steal the show.
She was known as the quiet strength behind Niki. She supported him in every way, but she didn’t want attention for herself. People respected her for that. She showed that you can be part of a big life without needing to be loud or showy.
After the wedding, Marlene became an Austrian citizen, and they traveled the world together for Niki’s career. Pictures from those years show them smiling, holding hands, and looking very close. To fans, they were the perfect couple — famous, stylish, and strong together.
Niki Lauda’s Crash and How Marlene Stood By Him
Later that same year, in August 1976, Niki had a terrible crash during a race at the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. His car crashed into a barrier, caught fire, and he was trapped inside. He suffered serious burns to his face and breathed in toxic smoke, which damaged his lungs.
It was a very scary time. Many people thought he would not survive. But Marlene stayed with him every step of the way. She went to the hospital, stayed through the surgeries, and helped him recover. Even when things looked dark, she never left his side.
She didn’t speak to the press or ask for attention. She just quietly gave him love and support. Niki later said that Marlene was amazing during those hard days. Her quiet strength helped him get through one of the worst times of his life.
Life as a Mother, Marlene Knaus and Her Children
During their marriage, Marlene and Niki had two sons. Their first son, Lukas Lauda, was born in 1979. Their second son, Mathias Lauda, came in 1981. The boys grew up surrounded by racing and fame, but their mother kept their home life stable and peaceful.
Lukas didn’t become a driver, but he still stayed in the world of racing. He became Mathias’s manager, helping guide his brother’s career. Mathias followed in Niki’s footsteps and became a professional race car driver, racing in different events around the world.
Raising two boys in such a public world wasn’t easy, but Marlene did it with grace. She stayed focused on her children and made sure they had a strong family life, even when Niki was busy with his racing and airline businesses.
Why Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda Got Divorced
In 1991, after 15 years of marriage, Marlene and Niki got divorced. They never gave the full reason, but many people believe it had to do with Niki’s extramarital affairs. One of these affairs even resulted in a child, Christoph, born in 1982, while he was still married to Marlene.
Even though this could have caused a lot of drama, Marlene handled everything quietly. She didn’t go to the media or share her side of the story. She simply stepped away from the marriage and focused on her life and her children.
People admired her for how she handled the divorce. There were no fights in public, no angry interviews — just quiet strength. That’s part of what made Marlene Knaus so respected and remembered today.
Marlene Knaus After the Divorce, A Life Away from Cameras
After her divorce from Niki Lauda in 1991, Marlene Knaus completely stepped away from the spotlight. She didn’t do interviews. She didn’t return to modeling. She simply disappeared from public life. But she didn’t disappear from her family’s life.
She moved to Ibiza, Spain, where she found peace. Far from the racing world and cameras, Marlene focused on living quietly. She raised her children, cared for animals, and enjoyed simple things like cooking. People who knew her say she always stayed kind, calm, and very private.
Even today, she avoids social media. She deleted her online profiles years ago and has never returned. That’s why so many people wonder about her. Her silence keeps the mystery alive.
Marlene Knaus Today, Where Is Niki Lauda’s Ex-Wife Now?
As of 2026, Marlene Knaus still lives in Ibiza. She is now in her late 60s but continues to live a quiet and peaceful life. She doesn’t attend public events. She doesn’t speak to the press. But she’s still very much loved by her family and fans.
She is sometimes seen at small family gatherings. Her sons visit her often, especially Mathias, who still travels a lot because of his racing career. Marlene enjoys spending time at home and keeping things simple.
Even though she was once surrounded by fame, she now chooses calm over chaos. That’s one of the reasons people still admire her. She never chased fame — not then, and not now.
What Did Marlene Knaus Inherit After Niki Lauda’s Death?
When Niki Lauda died in 2019, his net worth was estimated at around $200 million. Marlene had already received a large divorce settlement in 1991. But she and her sons were also part of his will.
Marlene kept the Ibiza home, which Niki had bought years earlier. She also received other assets, helping her live a comfortable life. Her current net worth in 2026 is believed to be around $50 million.
However, after Niki’s death, there was a legal issue. His second wife, Birgit Wetzinger, and their twins were not included in the original will. In 2024, Birgit won a court case and received 16% of the estate. Even with this, Marlene’s part was not affected. She and her children remained important parts of Niki’s legacy.
Why People Still Remember Marlene Knaus
Even though Marlene Knaus has not been in the news for years, people still remember her. Why? Because her story was not just about beauty or fame. It was about grace, loyalty, and strength.
She stood by Niki Lauda during the hardest time of his life. She raised their children quietly and respectfully. And even when their marriage ended, she didn’t speak badly or act out. She just lived with dignity.
Fans still share her old photos online. Her fashion style, calm face, and kind eyes remind people of a different time — when quiet strength was enough to shine. And in a world full of loud stories, Marlene’s silence speaks volumes.
Final Thoughts
Marlene Knaus is not just “Niki Lauda’s ex-wife.” She was a model, a mother, and a woman of quiet power. She supported Niki through pain and fame. She raised two sons who respected her deeply. And after it all, she chose a quiet life over attention.
Her story teaches us something important. You don’t need to be loud to be strong. You don’t need to stay in the spotlight to matter. Sometimes, walking away takes more courage than staying in front of the cameras.
Today, Marlene Knaus lives far from the world that once knew her. But her story is still told — with respect, with love, and with deep curiosity.
(FAQs)
Why did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda get divorced?
Niki had a baby with another woman while he was still married to Marlene. That hurt their marriage. They got divorced in 1991 but stayed quiet about it.
Is Marlene Knaus still alive?
Marlene Knaus is still alive in 2026. She lives a quiet life in Ibiza, away from cameras and the media.
What is Marlene Knaus doing now?
Today, Marlene lives in Spain. She enjoys cooking, being with her family, and staying out of the spotlight. She likes a calm and simple life.
How many children does Marlene Knaus have?
She has two sons with Niki Lauda. Their names are Lukas and Mathias. Mathias is a race car driver, and Lukas helps manage his career.
What did Marlene Knaus look like when she was young?
She was a famous model with natural beauty. People loved her simple style and loose hairstyle. Many called her the “It Girl” of the 1970s.
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