Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife breaks her silence after Michael’s former F1 star brother came out as gay, claiming she ‘feels used’ and ‘wasted her best years’
Cora Schumacher, the ex-wife of former Formula 1 star Ralf, claims she feels “used” after he came out as gay in July.
The couple was married for 14 years until they split in 2015. They have a son, David, who is also a racing driver.
Schumacher, the brother of seven-time champion Michael, announced on social media last month that he was in a relationship with his French business manager Etienne.
Cora discovered this through social media and is convinced that Schumacher psychologically manipulated her during their marriage.
“I wish Ralf had involved me or at least let me participate in his decision. It would have been a sign of respect,” she told Der Spiegel, via Brand.
Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife Cora claims she feels ‘used’ after he came out as gay in July
Ralf is pictured with his partner Etienne, his French business manager whom he met in Monaco
‘The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything’
Cora Schumacher wonders if he really loved her and feels ‘stabbed in the heart’
‘During his career in Formula 1 there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify whether what was said was true, but he always denied it and said that I was imagining everything and that I might need psychological help.
“When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always affects the people around you, including the ex-wife you had a child with.
‘Today I feel used in the marriage. I feel like I wasted my best years. I ask myself a lot of questions. Was he honest with me?
“And there’s something more important that’s going through my mind: did he love me? I trusted him implicitly and therefore his word was law to me.”
According to actress and close friend Carmen Geiss, Ralf Schumacher, 49, has been together with Etienne for two years. They met in Monaco.
His 22-year-old son David took to social media to express his support for his father after he revealed he was gay.
“I’m so glad you finally found someone you feel truly comfortable and safe with, whether it’s a man or a woman,” he wrote.
“I’m behind you 100 percent, Dad, and I wish you the best and congratulations.”
Six-time Grand Prix winner Ralf raced between 1997 and 2007. Pictured with legendary brother Michael, left
Cora and Ralf married in 2001, had a son that year and were together for 14 years
She is a former GQ cover star and is still a major TV personality in Germany
The 47-year-old had her own racing career (left) in which she competed in several championships, was a former Playboy model and recently joined the adult platform OnlyFans
Cora, 47, married Schumacher in 2001 and were together for 14 years.
The two were still thought to be close, as he congratulated her in January on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
She is a German actress, model, former racing driver and TV presenter and is also active on the adult platform Only Fans.
In October 2003 she was on the cover of the German edition of GQ, after which she turned her attention to racing.
Under her husband’s influence, she made her racing debut in 2004 as part of the celebrity team in the Mini Challenge in Germany, qualifying 22nd out of 24 competitors for her first race.
She then moved on to the more competitive sport of racing and enjoyed it for 14 years until retiring in 2018.
Ralf’s son David (above) said he is “100 percent behind” his father following the announcement
Ralf’s French partner Etienne is seen on a yacht in Monaco harbour during a Formula 1 race weekend
In 2006, she signed with Christina Surer for the SEAT Leon Supercopa, a deal that made her the highest paid female driver in the world.
In addition, there were two participations in the Mini Challenge, a victory in the 24 Hours of Dubai A2 class and an appearance in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Cup.