Marlene Knaus is a former model and interior designer who became widely known through her connection with Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda. She was born in 1956.
She became famous for her natural beauty, modeling career, and marriage to Niki Lauda. Her elegant appearance and simple hairstyle also attracted attention during her younger years.
This article explores Marlene Knaus’s early life, modeling career, relationship with Niki Lauda, marriage, children, divorce, and later years. It also looks at her life today.
Who Is Marlene Knaus?
Marlene Knaus is a former model who became a familiar public figure during the 1960s and 1970s. She was admired for her natural appearance and elegant personal style.
Her public profile grew further after she married Formula 1 racing champion Niki Lauda in 1976. Their relationship placed Marlene close to the international world of motorsport and fame.
After her marriage ended, Marlene chose a much quieter lifestyle. She moved away from regular public appearances and focused more on her family and personal life.
Marlene Knaus’s Early Life
Marlene Knaus was born in 1956 in the United States. She has Venezuelan roots and later became connected with Austria through her marriage to Niki Lauda.
From a young age, Marlene had an elegant and graceful appearance. Her natural beauty later helped her establish herself in the modeling world.
Despite receiving public attention, Marlene developed a reputation for being calm and private. These qualities remained an important part of her personality throughout her years in the spotlight.
Marlene Knaus Modeling Career
Marlene built a successful image as a model during the 1960s and 1970s. Her appearance was natural, simple, and different from many more dramatic fashion styles.
Her loose and slightly messy hairstyle became an important part of her look. Many women admired the hairstyle and copied the relaxed fashion she represented.
Marlene also appeared in magazines and worked with fashion brands. Her modeling career gave her public recognition before her relationship with Niki Lauda made her even more widely known.
Marlene Knaus Work as an Interior Designer
Marlene later moved beyond modeling and worked as an interior designer. This career allowed her to use her creative interests in a different professional field.
Her interest in interior design matched the sense of style she had shown during her modeling years. Beauty, simplicity, and elegance remained important parts of her creative life.
Her interior design career received less public attention than her modeling work. Marlene gradually became more private as she moved away from her earlier life in fashion.
How Marlene Knaus Met Niki Lauda
Marlene met Niki Lauda at a dinner party in 1975. Their meeting happened when both were already involved in separate romantic relationships.
Marlene was dating actor Curt Jurgens at the time. Niki was engaged to Mariella von Reininghaus, but his connection with Marlene quickly changed their personal lives.
Marlene and Niki soon started a relationship. Their romance developed quickly, and only about one year after meeting, they decided to get married.
Marlene Knaus Marriage to Niki Lauda
Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda married in 1976. Niki was already a major name in Formula 1, so their marriage naturally brought considerable attention.
Marlene accompanied her husband during an important period of his racing career. She appeared with him at races, events, and other public occasions while maintaining her reserved personality.
After their marriage, Marlene became an Austrian citizen. The couple traveled frequently because Niki’s Formula 1 career required him to compete and attend events around the world.
Supporting Niki Lauda After His 1976 Crash
One of the most difficult moments of their marriage came in August 1976. Niki suffered a serious accident while racing at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit.
His car crashed, caught fire, and left him with serious facial burns. He also suffered lung damage after breathing toxic fumes during the accident.
Marlene remained beside Niki during his treatment and recovery. She supported him through hospital care and surgeries while keeping herself away from unnecessary media attention.
Marlene Knaus’s Children
Marlene and Niki became parents to two sons during their marriage. Their first child, Lukas Lauda, was born in 1979.
Their second son, Mathias Lauda, was born in 1981. Marlene focused strongly on creating a stable family environment while Niki continued his demanding professional career.
Both sons later remained connected to motorsport. Mathias became a professional racing driver, while Lukas became involved in managing his brother’s racing career.
Marlene Knaus Life as a Mother
Motherhood became an important part of Marlene’s life. She raised Lukas and Mathias while their family remained closely connected with international motorsport.
Niki’s racing career and business activities often required travel and public appearances. Marlene provided a calmer home environment for their two sons during those busy years.
Even after her marriage ended, her children remained central to her life. Her relationship with her sons continued away from the intense public attention surrounding the Lauda name.
Why Did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda Divorce?
Marlene and Niki remained married for around 15 years. Their marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1991 after many years together.
During their marriage, Niki had an extramarital relationship that resulted in the birth of another son, Christoph, in 1982. This happened while Niki was still married to Marlene.
Marlene did not turn the end of her marriage into a major public dispute. Following the divorce, she stepped further away from publicity and concentrated on her own life.
Life After Her Divorce
The divorce marked an important change in Marlene’s lifestyle. She largely left the public world that had surrounded her during her marriage to the Formula 1 champion.
Marlene settled in Ibiza, Spain, and created a quieter life. She spent her time with family and enjoyed simple activities such as cooking and caring for animals.
She also stayed away from interviews and major public appearances. Her decision to live privately made information about her later years much less visible than during her marriage.
Her Relationship With Niki Lauda After Divorce
Although their marriage ended, Marlene remained connected to Niki through their children. Their long relationship had created family ties that continued beyond the divorce.
Marlene avoided turning their separation into a public conflict. She did not build her later public identity around discussing the details of her former marriage.
Her quiet approach became one of the defining features of her later life. Instead of remaining in celebrity circles, she preferred privacy and family life.
What Happened After Niki Lauda’s Death?
Niki Lauda died in 2019. His wealth at the time of his death was estimated at around $200 million.
Marlene had already received a significant settlement following their 1991 divorce. She also kept the Ibiza property that Niki had purchased years earlier and received other assets.
A later inheritance dispute involved Niki’s second wife, Birgit Wetzinger, and their twins. In 2024, Birgit received 16 percent of the estate following a court case.
Marlene Knaus’s Net Worth
Marlene Knaus’s net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $50 million. Her financial position is connected with her earlier career, divorce settlement, property, and other assets.
She has lived comfortably while remaining outside the regular celebrity spotlight. Her Ibiza home has also been an important part of her private life after Niki Lauda.
Despite her wealth, Marlene is not known for displaying an extravagant public lifestyle. Her later years have instead been associated with privacy, family, and peaceful living.
Where Is Marlene Knaus Now?
As of 2026, Marlene Knaus lives in Ibiza, Spain. Born in 1956, she is around 70 years old and has remained largely outside public life.
She rarely attends major public events and does not maintain a highly visible media presence. Her sons continue to be an important part of her family life.
Marlene now lives very differently from the years when Formula 1 placed her family before international audiences. She has chosen a peaceful lifestyle far from regular cameras and publicity.
Final Thoughts
Marlene Knaus experienced both fashion-world attention and the intense publicity surrounding Formula 1. She built a modeling career before becoming widely recognized as Niki Lauda’s wife.
She supported Niki during difficult periods and raised their two sons, Lukas and Mathias. After their marriage ended, she gradually created a life far removed from celebrity attention.
Today, Marlene lives quietly in Ibiza. Her journey from modeling and international fame to a private lifestyle continues to make people interested in her life and personal story.
(FAQs)
Who is Marlene Knaus?
Marlene Knaus is a former model and interior designer. She is widely known as the former wife of Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda and the mother of Lukas and Mathias Lauda.
How old is Marlene Knaus?
Marlene Knaus was born in 1956. Based on that birth year, she is around 70 years old in 2026 and currently lives a private life.
Why did Marlene Knaus and Niki Lauda divorce?
Marlene and Niki Lauda divorced in 1991 after approximately 15 years of marriage. Niki had an extramarital relationship during their marriage that resulted in another son, Christoph.
How many children does Marlene Knaus have?
Marlene Knaus has two sons with Niki Lauda. Lukas Lauda was born in 1979, while Mathias Lauda was born in 1981 and became a professional racing driver.
Where is Marlene Knaus now?
Marlene Knaus lives in Ibiza, Spain. She stays away from major public events and maintains a quiet lifestyle focused on privacy, family, and life outside the celebrity spotlight.
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