Lauda regained the World Championship in 1977 before temporarily retiring from Formula 1 in 1979 to pursue business interests, including founding his own airline, Lauda Air. He made a successful comeback in the 1980s, racing for McLaren and clinching his third and final championship in 1984. He retired permanently in 1985 and later served in executive roles for multiple F1 teams, including Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG Petronas, where he mentored future champion Lewis Hamilton.
Lauda passed away on May 20, 2019, at the age of 70. In a touching tribute, Lewis Hamilton dedicated his 2019 Monaco Grand Prix victory to his late mentor, cementing Lauda’s enduring influence on modern Formula 1 racing.
Niki Lauda was married twice. His first marriage was to Marlene Knaus, a former model and socialite, in 1976. The couple had two sons: Mathias, who became a professional race car driver, and Lukas, who managed Mathias’s career. The marriage ended in 1991. During their union, Lauda fathered another son, Christoph, with another woman, which contributed to the breakdown of the marriage.
In 2008, Lauda married Birgit Wetzinger, a former flight attendant 30 years his junior. In 2009, the couple welcomed twins, Max and Mia. Notably, Birgit had previously donated a kidney to Niki, underscoring their close bond.
At the time of his death, Niki Lauda's net worth was estimated at approximately $200 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com. His wealth was accumulated through his successful racing career, aviation ventures, and management roles in Formula 1.
Return to the previous page| Birth Date: | 22 Feb, 1949 |
| Age: | 71 yrs |
| Citizenship: | Austria |
| Birth Place: | Vienna |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Austrian former Formula 1 racing driver (1949-2019) |
| Net Worth 2020: | 78 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 200 million |
