Ralf Schumacher’s heartbroken ex-wife says she will KEEP his famous surname despite him, despite it causing her ‘pain’ after she ‘wasted her best years’ before he came out as gay
Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife insists she will keep his famous surname despite their ongoing feud after he came out as gay.
Schumacher, the younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael and a six-time Formula 1 winner himself, announced in July that he is gay after sharing an Instagram post of himself with his new partner, French business manager Etienne.
Cora Schumacher, who was married to Ralf for 14 years and has a son together named David, said she felt “used” and as if she had “wasted her best years” after the announcement.
BILD reported that Ralf wanted Cora to drop her famous last name after the argument.
However, in a story on her Instagram account, she promised her 460,000 followers that she will keep the Schumacher name.
Cora Schumacher has vowed to keep her famous surname despite her bitter feud with ex-husband Ralf
Cora was married to former Formula 1 star Ralf between 2001 and 2015
Ralf (left) revealed in July that he was gay after sharing an Instagram post of himself with his new partner, French business manager Etienne (right)
She said the following in the German translation: ‘I feel a little better again.
‘Even though it would make a lot of people happy, no, I haven’t lost my smile. And I will wait – wait, let me think – keep my name. Especially now.’
Cora, whose maiden name is Brinkmann, adds: ‘I was actually planning to give up this name (Schumacher).’
“But no. It has cost me enough pain and sorrow. Cora Schumacher is my brand, which I have built independently and on my own.”
Cora claimed last month that she discovered Ralf was homosexual through social media and is convinced that she was psychologically manipulated by Schumacher during their marriage.
“I wish Ralf had involved me or at least made me part of his decision. That would have been a sign of respect,” she told Der Spiegel.
‘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.
Six-time race winner Ralf raced between 1997 and 2007 (pictured with brother Michael)
She is a former GQ cover star and is still a major TV personality in Germany
Ralf’s son David (above) said he is “100 percent behind” his father following the announcement
‘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.”
According to actress and close friend Carmen Geiss, Ralf Schumacher, 49, has been together with Etienne for two years. They met in Monaco.
Ralf and Cora are said to still be close, as he congratulated her in January on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
She is a German actress, model, former racing driver and TV presenter and is also active on the adult platform Only Fans.
In October 2003 she was on the cover of the German edition of GQ, after which she turned her attention to racing.
Cora and Ralf are said to still be close after he congratulated her on joining the cast of the German version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in January
Under her husband’s influence, she made her racing debut in 2004 as part of the celebrity team in the Mini Challenge in Germany, qualifying 22nd out of 24 competitors for her first race.
She then moved on to the more competitive sport of racing and enjoyed it for 14 years until retiring in 2018.
Their 22-year-old son David took to social media to express his support for his father after he revealed he was gay.
“I’m so glad you finally found someone you feel truly comfortable and safe with, whether it’s a man or a woman,” he wrote.
“I’m behind you 100 percent, Dad, and I wish you the best and congratulations.”
