Niki Lauda is a Formula One driver and a three-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, winning in 1975, 1977, and 1984. He also appeared in the movie Mercedes-Benz-100 Jahre Mercedes-Benz.
In 1976, he was nearly killed in the German Grand Prix when his car swerved off the track and burst into flames. Trapped in the wreckage, he suffered severe burns in his head and inhaled hot toxic gases. Right after the accident, he lapsed into a coma, but later recovered, and had extensive plastic surgery. But the car crash could not stop his drive and he was back son after the recovery in his races.
Niki is the only driver to have been champion for both Ferrari and McLaren, the sport’s two most successful constructors. He is the founder, CEO, and occasional pilot at Lauda Air, which is the second-largest commercial airline in Austria and is a consultant for Ferrari.
Niki Lauda’s Age
Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, also known as Niki Lauda (The Rat) was born on February 22, 1949, in Vienna, Austria to this father, Ernst-Peter Lauda, and his mother, Elisabeth Lauda. He grew up in a family of wealthy industrialists having a chain of paper factories.
Niki could not display much potential at school, and though his parents wanted him to study business, he was focused on becoming a racing driver. Later on, he manufactured a false school diploma to show to his parents and convinced them to shell out money and buy him a car, VW.
Niki Lauda Enjoys Millions Of Net Worth
Niki’s journey as a racing driver began when he participated in a motor race excelling in the hills at Mühlbacken and completed the race with an overall second position back in 1968.
After having a car, he received a chance to ride in the ‘Formula Vee’ team of ‘Austro-Kaimann’ in 1969 and participated in thirteen ‘Formula V’ races securing two wins.
His real breakthrough came in 1974 when Enzo Ferrari, owner of the ‘Ferrari’ team, saw him and enquired and received positive feedback about him from his ‘BRM’ teammate Clay Regazzoni when the latter rejoined ‘Ferrari.’
Today, Niki is the Founder/Co-Founder of Lauda Air, enjoying a total net worth of $100 Million.
Niki’s Wife Is 21 Years Junior To Him
Formula 1 racing legend Niki Lauda married the woman who saved his life. Today, in every interview, if his wife’s name comes up, he mentions her as someone who gave her a second life.
The 59-year-old wed the 29-year-old former stewardess Birgit Wetzinger after a four-years of romance. After she donated one of her kidneys to Niki, he decided to meet her and from there, their love story began.
Crushing over someone is one thing, but to donate an organ is something else entirely. The love Birgit has for Niki, and the respect he has for her is the reason they are still together in today’s date, living as a family along with their twins, a boy, and a girl.
However, it’s not the first time Niki got married. Previously marrying Birgit, he was married to Marlene Knaus from back in 1976. They raised two sons together, Mathias and Lukas. But, 15 years of marriage could not last between them, and they separated in the year 1991.
