Boris Becker’s found his love match: First photos show tennis star tie the knot for the third time in a stunning Portofino wedding
Stunning photos reveal Boris Becker’s first kiss with his new wife Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.
The retired German tennis pro, 56, married the political risk manager, 33, during a three-day affair in Portofino, Italy, on September 14, with the beautiful bride walking down the aisle to Coldplay’s hit track Yellow.
Lilian, who was born on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe, wore three outfits for the occasion, while Boris, tying the knot for the third time, looked effortlessly suave in a cream tuxedo.
Discussing their lavish nuptials for the first time, Boris told Hello! Magazine that it was a ‘magical weekend’ marrying his partner Lilian, and they chose Portofino as their wedding location after spending many happy weekends there together.
He said: ‘Everyone cried, including me… the location where we had the ceremony is, I think, one of the most unique places I have been in my life – and trust me, I have been to a lot of beautiful places!’
The bride stunned the couple’s 100 guests in an elegant white strapless gown crafted for her by an old school friend, designer Andra Ravieli; he had previously promised that he would design her wedding gown when she walked down the aisle.
Boris and Lilian, who live in Italy and first started dating in 2019, both wore gold wedding bands, and within hours of their wedding the former tennis champ had shared his happy news with his Instagram followers.
The celebration is extra momentous for Becker, who has six Grand Slam titles, after he was released from British prison in December 2022 following eight months behind bars for bankruptcy fraud.
We do, with a stunning view! Photos showing the spectacular setting for ex tennis star Boris Becker’s wedding to his wife Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro on September 14th
Sealed with a kiss: Stunning photos show Becker’s first kiss with his new wife Lilian
We did it! The German tennis pro, 56, married the political risk manager, 33, during a three-day affair in the glitzy Italian resort
The bride stunned in an elegant white strapless gown by her old school friend, designer Andra Ravieli, who had previously promised that he would design her wedding gown. Her grandmother is pictured helping her get ready
On her way to meet her groom: Lilian, wearing a wedding gown complete with a thigh-high split carries a bouquet of white roses as she makes her way to the aisle
Wearing a bridal gown with a sheer train, the new Mrs Becker walked down the aisle to Coldplay ‘s hit track Yellow
Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, a political risk manager, stunned in a classic white dress
The happy couple won’t jet off on honeymoon right away, but say they are hoping to enjoy a trip away over the Christmas period. Pictured: Lilian walks to meet her groom
Becker cut a dashing figure in a cream satin tuxedo and dickie bow for the September nuptials
First look: The bride and groom looked in awe as they locked eye at the altar
I do! The bride looked delighted to greet her groom at the end of the aisle
Posing up a storm: Lillian looked gorgeous as she posed with Becker
Boris was joined by his two sons, Noah, 30, and Elias, 25, from his first marriage to Barbara Feltus.
The pair acted as joint best men, with Boris saying he was ‘very moved’ by his loved ones’ speeches in an emotional toast following the ceremony.
Guests included former Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit and German actor and model Boris Kodjoe.
The former Wimbledon champ and Lilian married in an outdoor ceremony with beautiful gardens and celebrated in the evening with a four-tier buttercream cake laden with white roses.
The couple spared no expense, with Lilian looking incredible in a strapless ruched bridal gown and veil, while Boris opted for a two-piece suit, including a satin tuxedo in cream and black dickie bow.
The three-day wedding saw Boris and Lilian greet guests arriving by boat and enjoying drinks by the pier before their big day.
Lilian, who is 23 years his junior, stood by Boris through thick and thin after he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in the UK after he was found to have hidden £2.5million of assets and loans in a bankruptcy fraud case. He served eight months.
Lillian’s bridesmaid and gradmother helped her get ready at the stunning Portofino hotel
The dress -designed by old school friend Andra Ravieli – was a classic strapless gown
The bride later changed into an evening look (pictured)
Rings are seen on a pillow before the couple wed
The bride added Gianvito Rossi heels to the look – a popular choice with brides
Guests enjoyed a stunning view of Portofino – a hotspot for celebrity weddings
La Cervara on the Italian Riviera was the destination for the wedding
Boris waits with Victor Monteiro – the bride’s father
Boris’s son Noah (left) and Elias (right) acted as his best men
Posing up a storm; the former tennis star and sons Noah, far left, and Elias, far right
Earlier, doting Dad Boris has helped his son Noah with his tie for the occasion
A wedding with a view! The two sons looked out to sea before helping their dad down the aisle
The happy couple stand before a beautiful display of wedding flowers as they prepare to take their vows
The beautiful outdoor wedding saw Becker’s two sons Noah, second from right, and Elias, far right by their father’s side
Aisle say! Boris and his bride held hands after saying their vows
Hello there! The new Mrs Becker looked gorgeous in the ivory gown
Third times a charm: Boris opted for a cream blazer – while with sons wore black
Becker moves in to give his third wife a kiss following their vows
Guests enjoyed an elegant menu – complete of course with wine pairings
In no surprise for a wedding in the Italian riviera, guests dined on risotto, tuna and pistachio before a dessert of lemon sorbet and a berries an cream cake in a nod to Boris’ Wimbledon career
Italian wines were also offered to the couple’s well-heeled guests
Wedding breakfast: The newlyweds both took the microphone to speak to their guests
Noah and Elias congratulate their father and his new bride on the balcony as the reception gets into full swing
Perfect setting: The tables laid out for the intimate wedding on the balcony of the luxury resort
The couple cut a four-tier cake as they enjoyed the celebrations with 100 close friends
The couple listen intently as the speeches entertain their wedding guests
Gorgeous flower arrangements and candelabras were atop of the table
Boris’ son Noah took the microphone to give a speech to guests
Becker twirls his new bride around the dance floor as the couple enjoy their first dance
The grand slam champion showed off his dad dancing on the floor
But Boris said that he believes his time behind bars has made his relationship stronger, adding: ‘As they say in wedding ceremonies, in good and in bad days, you have to find a way to stick together.
‘We certainly had very difficult days, because my personal situation was very challenging, but that’s really when I got to know my true friends and my partner for life.’
‘Sometimes you need to be tested to find out who your true friends are, or your partner, and it happened for me. And I realised who was with me and who was not with me. Lilian was number one.’
After their evening ceremony, the happy couple took to the floor for their first dance to the Lionel Richie hit All Night Long, before dancing the night away with their guests.
Boris added that married life already feels ‘wonderful,’ and the highlight of his big day was the chance to finally ‘call Lilian his wife.’
The happy couple added that while they are too busy to jet off on honeymoon right away, they are hoping to enjoy a trip away over the Christmas period.
It was reported back in February the couple had become engaged and were planning their wedding for later in the year.
Boris served eight months of the sentence at Wandsworth and Huntercombe prisons before being deported from Britain in December 2022, ruling out a return to his job on the BBC commentating on Wimbledon.
Guests were able to enjoy the stunning location as they danced the night away
Boris was flanked by his bride and son at the top table
Both of Boris’ sons gave a speech at the wedding
Piece of cake! The couple had a five tiered cake – and fireworks
He did, however, contribute to Sky Italia’s coverage of the action from SW19 over the summer. He had lived in the UK since 2012 and was declared bankrupt in 2017 before being imprisoned in April 2022.
London-based Ms Monteiro is a political risk analyst and has three degrees, including a masters in African studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and speaks five languages, including German.
She was born in the African island state of São Tomé and Príncipe and is the daughter of Victor Monteiro, the republic’s former Minister of Defence who ran for the presidency in 2014.
Lilian spent much of her youth in Rome where she attended a private school before studying at the University of La Sapienza.
She first came to London to study at the School of Oriental and African Studies, where she earned her master’s degree at the age of 25.
Boris reportedly proposed to Lilian in Milan Cathedral back in 2021 – but any hope of a fairytale wedding was cut short by the impending prison sentence.
She was a constant presence by his side while attending court hearings and even blew him a goodbye kiss when he was jailed last year and blasted by a judge for showing no remorse.
After the prison release the couple who were based in the UK relocated to Milan.
German-American designer Barbara, 57, was married to Boris from 1993 – 2001 (pictured at their wedding in Germany)
Dutch model Lilly, 48, was married to the disgraced tennis champion for nine years before their divorce in 2018 (pictured in 2009 at their wedding in Switzerland)
A source told The Sun: ‘Boris is incredibly grateful to Lilian for staying with him through “The hardest time’ of his life”.’
‘He said, “She saved me, and I will never forget her for that. She is the woman of my new life!”‘
Boris has been twice married before. He married Barbara Feltus in 1993 and the couple had two children – a son, Noah, who was born in 1994, and spm, Elias, born in 1999.
In December 2000 the couple announced they were separating. A year later, Becker was forced to concede that he was the father of Russian model Angela Ermakova’s daughter Anna following a High Court battle.
In 2002, Boris was convicted for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany.
Seven years later, he announced he was engaged to Dutch model Sharlely ‘Lilly’ Kerssenberg. She gave birth in 2010 to a son, Amadeus. They announced their separation in 2018.
The Riviera hotspot, south of Genoa, is popular with the rich and famous. Rod Stewart tied the knot with Penny Lancaster nearby in 2007.
Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas commented on Boris’ Instagram announcement: ‘Amazing man with an amazing lady. Hope to see you soon hugs and love your friend’
Una Healy added: ‘Congratulations to you both’, while Boris’ son Elias typed three red love heart emojis.
