Niki Lauda Bio: Movie, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Crash, Death, After Accident, Family

Biography

Niki Lauda (1949-2019), born Andreas Nikolaus Lauda, was a legendary Austrian Formula One driver and aviation entrepreneur. Known for his sharp racing mind and resilience, Lauda‘s F1 career began in 1971, and he soon became a standout with his strategic approach. He claimed his first World Championship with Ferrari in 1975, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

In 1976, Lauda survived a horrific crash at the Nürburgring during the German Grand Prix, suffering severe burns and lung damage. Astonishingly, he returned to racing just six weeks later, finishing fourth at the Italian Grand Prix and narrowly losing the championship to James Hunt by a single point in a dramatic season.

Lauda went on to win two more World Championships—one in 1977 with Ferrari and another in 1984 with McLaren—further solidifying his legacy. After retiring, he founded Lauda Air, which later merged with Austrian Airlines and played a pivotal role in Mercedes’ Formula One success as a key strategist.

His life, marked by courage and determination, was immortalized in the film “Rush” (2013), highlighting his rivalry with Hunt. Lauda’s contributions to motorsport and aviation remain influential, and his iconic cap, worn to cover the scars from his accident, became a symbol of his enduring legacy.

Niki Lauda
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Andreas Nikolaus Lauda
Stage Name:	Niki Lauda
Born:	22 February 1949 (age 70 years old)
Place of Birth:	Vienna, Austria
Died:	20 May 2019 (age 70 years), University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Nationality:	Austrian
Education:	N/A
Height:	1.75 m
Parents:	Elisabeth Lauda, Ernst-Peter Lauda
Siblings:	Florian Lauda
Spouse:	Birgit Wetzinger (m. 2008–2019), Marlene Knaus (m. 1976–1991)
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	Mathias Lauda, Lukas Lauda, Max Lauda, Mia Lauda
Occupation:	Racing Driver • Aviation Entrepreneur
Net Worth:	$80 million-$100 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Niki Lauda, born Andreas Nikolaus Lauda on February 22, 1949, in Vienna, Austria, came from a family with a background in industrial and shipbuilding enterprises. Lauda was of Austrian descent and was raised in a Catholic family, though he was known for his pragmatic approach to life rather than religious observance.

His mother, Elizabeth Lauda (née Hauser), initially reluctant, supported his ambitions in racing. His father, Ernst-Peter Lauda, an industrialist, owned several businesses, including a paper manufacturing company, and played a crucial role in nurturing Lauda‘s early interest in cars.

Lauda had an older brother, Florian Lauda, who also showed interest in racing but did not pursue it professionally.

Lauda‘s formal education was often sidelined by his passion for racing. He attended a school in Vienna, but his focus was more on mechanics and driving than academics. At 17, he left school to pursue his racing career, which initially caused friction with his parents, who hoped he would join the family business.

Career

Niki Lauda‘s Formula One career was defined by both remarkable success and resilience, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers and strategists. He began racing professionally in 1969, progressing through hillclimbing, Formula Vee, and Formula 3 before moving to Formula 2, where his talent garnered the attention of F1 teams.

Lauda made his Formula One debut in 1971 with March, but it was with BRM in 1973 that he scored his first points. His true breakthrough came in 1974 when he joined Ferrari, winning his first Grand Prix at the Spanish Grand Prix. In 1975, he captured his first World Championship, winning five of 14 races and displaying his consistency and strategic prowess.

In 1976, Lauda‘s career took a dramatic turn when he survived a near-fatal crash at the Nürburgring. Despite suffering severe burns, he made an astonishing return just six weeks later. He narrowly lost the championship to James Hunt by one point, a rivalry famously portrayed in the film “Rush.”

Lauda claimed his second World Championship with Ferrari in 1977 but announced his retirement mid-season due to a loss of motivation following his traumatic crash. After stepping away from F1 in 1979, he ventured into aviation, founding Lauda Air, which grew into a major Austrian airline.

Facing financial challenges, Lauda returned to Formula One in 1982 with McLaren, adopting a more tactical approach. His efforts culminated in his third and final World Championship in 1984, becoming one of the few drivers to win titles with different teams, further demonstrating his racing genius.

Post-driving, Lauda stayed active in motorsport. He worked as a consultant for Ferrari and held management roles with Jaguar Racing and Mercedes, where his strategic input played a key role in their championship dominance.

Social Media

• Instagram: Niki Lauda (@nikilaudaf1)
• IMDb: Niki Lauda(1949-2019)

Personal Life

Niki Lauda was first married to Marlene Knaus in 1976, whose relationship with him was depicted in the film “Rush.” Their marriage ended in divorce in 1991, largely due to Lauda‘s affair, which resulted in a child outside the marriage.

In 2008, Lauda married Birgit Wetzinger, who was 30 years his junior. Their relationship came into public light, especially after Lauda‘s health issues, where Birgit offered to donate her kidney to him, showcasing her commitment to their relationship.

From his first marriage to Marlene Knaus, Lauda had a son named Mathias Lauda. With Birgit Wetzinger, Lauda had two children, twins Max Lauda and Mia Lauda, born when he was in his 60s, which he described as a “shot at redemption” and a chance to be a more present father. Niki Lauda stood approximately 1.70 meters (around 5 feet 7 inches) tall.

Cause of Death

Niki Lauda, the iconic Formula One driver and aviation entrepreneur, passed away on May 20, 2019, at the age of 70. His death was linked to long-term health complications stemming from the severe injuries he sustained in his 1976 crash at the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, where he suffered extensive burns and lung damage.

Despite his remarkable recovery and return to racing just six weeks after the accident, Lauda faced ongoing health issues throughout his life, including multiple kidney transplants. His family announced his passing, acknowledging the lasting impact of that fateful crash, which shaped both his incredible comeback and his later health struggles.

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2019, Niki Lauda‘s net worth was estimated to be around $80 million to $100 million. This wealth was accumulated through his successful career in Formula One racing, where he won three World Championships and established himself as a significant figure in team management and airline business.

Lauda earned substantial sums from racing, endorsements, and prize money during his active years as a driver, with his comeback in 1976 after a horrific accident adding to his financial success.

His involvement in team management, particularly with the Jaguar Racing team and later with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, significantly boosted his earnings. His role at Mercedes included a lucrative salary and shares in the team’s success, especially during their dominant period in the 2010s.

One of his most notable business ventures outside of racing was the establishment of Lauda Air, an airline that he later sold to Austrian Airlines, contributing to his wealth during its successful periods.