That’s exactly what Niki Lauda († 70) never wanted!
Almost four years after the death of the Formula 1 legend, a dispute over his million-dollar legacy is raging in the Vienna regional court. Again Delivery man reported, Lauda’s widow Birgit (44, mother of his twins Mia and Max, 13) is suing in two different proceedings against the sports icon’s inheritance regulation. Demands almost 30 million from the foundation’s assets.
It’s rumbling in the Lauda family. Many friends and companions shake their heads. A close friend to BILD: “Niki would turn in his grave!”
Birgit Lauda at her husband’s funeral service on May 29, 2019 in Vienna. At her side: Lauda’s son Lukas (l.), Mathias Lauda and cathedral priest Anton Toni Faber (r.)
Everything was planned
Lauda took care early on that his two families would be taken care of in the event of his death. The sons Lukas (44) and Mathias (42) come from the first marriage to Marlene Knaus (67). There should be no dispute between the parties. And above all, there should be enough money left over for future generations.
The friend continued: “Birgit initiated these proceedings. The rest of the family totally agreed with Niki’s arrangement, they respect what he wanted and want to defend his legacy to the last.”
20,000 euros a month for Lauda’s widow
Birgit Lauda should actually be well taken care of.
The foundation set up by Niki Lauda in 1997 is to pay her a monthly sum of 20,000 euros. In addition, all costs for the maintenance of the two villas in Vienna and on Ibiza, including three cars, are to be paid. Plus salaries for domestic workers, tuition for the twins, and the cost of vacations.
Lauda 2014 with his two sons Lukas (left) and Mathias
She found happiness again in love
Birgit Lauda has been with the successful finance manager Marcus Sieberer (55) since 2021. The two spend a lot of time together – also in the family villa in Ibiza, which Niki Lauda loved more than anything and where he actually wanted to recover after recovering from illness.
Birgit Lauda in September 2022 with her new partner Marcus Sieberer at the fundraising dinner in Vienna
First bankruptcy in court
Birgit Lauda had to take a first bankruptcy in court.
In the meantime, court costs of over 300,000 euros have accumulated as a result of their lawsuits – and in view of the high amounts in dispute. Lauda applied for legal aid – rejected.
Birgit Lauda herself did not want to comment on the procedure when asked by BILD.
