Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife has hit out at the former F1 driver over their ongoing feud, claiming she wasted “her best years” on him after he came out as gay last month.
Schumacher, the brother of seven-time world champion Michael, announced that he is gay after posting an Instagram post of himself and his new partner, French business manager Etienne.
Cora Schumacher, who was married to Ralf for 14 years and had a son David with him before they split in 2015, responded to the news by saying she “felt used”. Ralf responded by leaking WhatsApp messages in which Cora congratulated Etienne on their union.
In the messages, Cora appears to say “congratulations” and “so happy for you both,” while telling Etienne that she was told he married Ralf because they wore rings on their right hands.
But Cora denied this in a lengthy statement on Instagram on Saturday, indicating that she has received online insults following the leaked messages.
Ralf Schumacher (right) and Cora (left) were married for 14 years before they split in 2015
Ralf is now in a relationship with French business leader Etienne (right) after coming out as gay
Cora claimed she didn’t know Ralf was homosexual, but Ralf called her a liar and leaked her WhatsApp messages in an attempt to prove it
“I feel compelled to make this step public,” she wrote.
‘Ralf Schumacher published private messages as part of his media-influential Coming Out to discredit me and portray me as a liar. Apparently the system is behind this.
‘(In the WhatsApp that RS published, and which came from Etienne and me, I had only tried to find out the truth from HIM at least.)
‘This action has not only damaged my trust but also caused a wave of hate and slander online that has deeply affected me! I am being exposed to things that have no truth in them. I am being called a “gold digger” and a “liar”, it is claimed, I have ended up in an arranged marriage,
‘I should keep my mouth shut, it wouldn’t be any of my business anymore, (coming out these days always has an impact on those around you, especially the ex-wife with whom you had a child.)
‘All these comments hurt me deeply – especially because I myself was lied to for years. I got married for love! I did not sign a non-disclosure agreement in a prenuptial agreement. It is not there. Otherwise I would never have gotten married!
‘Let me make one thing clear: I have never lied! The hate campaign that is being waged against me is very close to my heart and weighs heavily.
‘I just want my peace in peace. Life and healing!
“Before you judge, remember: **#WordsMatter** – Words have power and can cause great harm.”
Ralf, 49, has been in a relationship with Etienne for two years after they met in Monaco, according to Carmen Geiss, an actress and close friend of the couple.
His 22-year-old son David took to social media to express his support for his father after he revealed he was gay.
But Cora reacted angrily when she broke her silence earlier this month and accused Ralf of treating her disrespectfully and betraying her trust.
Their son David Schumacher, right, also a racing driver, spoke out in support of his father when he came out as gay
But Cora reacted angrily and claimed that Ralf had shown a lack of respect for her
“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.
‘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.”