Revealed: Ralf Schumacher introduced his partner to his ex-wife as his ‘assistant’ over a year ago
Ralf Schumacher is said to have introduced his partner Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne to his ex-wife Cora a year before he went public with his relationship. According to German media, he called the Frenchman his ‘assistant’.
The brother of Formula 1 superstar Michael came out as gay last month after posting a social media post embracing Bousquet-Cassagne, who was Schumacher’s business manager at the time.
Schumacher captioned a photo of the couple: “The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything.”
A few days after the public announcement, which was met with congratulations and well-wishes from the motorsport world and beyond, Cora shared a cryptic post on her own social media page.
The TV personality, who divorced Schumacher in 2015, posted a photo of herself in tears as a bride, with the caption: “Tears reveal more than words.”
Ralf Schumacher (foreground) publicly announced his relationship with Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne in July
The Formula 1 analyst – and brother of superstar Michael – posted a photo on his Instagram
A few days later, his ex-wife Cora shared a cryptic photo of herself as a bride in tears after the public announcement
But rather than being completely surprised by Schumacher’s announcement, the German news site reported BILD it turned out that Cora had known Bousquet-Cassagne for more than a year, after an alleged roundabout introduction.
Sources close to the former model and racing driver told the outlet that she was told Bousquet-Cassagne was her ex-husband’s assistant when she first met him.
A former friend of Cora’s, Joerg Kunze, told the outlet that she and Bousquet-Cassagne met in April 2023 in Saint Tropez in the south of France — where Kunze was also present — and that after the vacation it was “obvious” that Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne were a “couple.”
In photos shared by Kunze on his Instagram profile, Cora and Bousquet-Cassagne are seen enjoying each other’s company, having lunch and tasting local watermelon. Kunze describes the vacation as “a lot of fun.”
Sources close to Schumacher told BILD that Cora was well aware of their relationship and was happy for the couple.
Cora and Bousquet-Cassagne (right) are said to have first met in St. Tropez in April 2023
The couple spent time on the French Riviera with Cora’s boyfriend Jorg Kunze (pictured left) during a group holiday at Schumacher’s home
Photos shared on Kunze’s Instagram show Cora quickly becoming friends with the Frenchman
“We were in St. Tropez with Etienne, Cora got along really well with him, he’s an incredibly nice person,” Kunze added, speaking to the publication. “We went to the beach club, went shopping, went out for dinner or had a nice day by the pool.
“It was great. We had a good time.”
Following Schumacher’s Instagram post, the relationship was confirmed by the couple’s friend, German actress Carmen Geiss, who revealed that Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne have been together for two years.
Schumacher’s son was also very happy with his ex-wife David. They posted an encouraging message under the photo.
“I’m so happy you finally found someone who you can really feel comfortable and safe with,” the aspiring racer wrote on Instagram.
The relationship between Schumacher and Bousquet-Cassagne was confirmed by the couple’s mutual friend, Carmen Geiss
Schumacher and Cora were married for 14 years before they divorced over ten years ago
The former model and racing driver is now a television personality in her native Germany
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. I’m behind you 100%, Dad, and I wish you all the best! Congratulations!”
Schumacher and Cora were married for 14 years. They married in 2001, a few months before David was born.
Cora, now 47, had her own racing career, competing in various classes and championships. She also built a separate career in show business as a Playboy model, television presenter and actress.
She is best known for her participation in German television programs such as Top of the Pops, Mareinhof and Alarm Fur Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei. After the break with Schumacher, she has a profile on the adult platform OnlyFans.