Niki Lauda Family Tree: The Story Behind F1's Comeback King

Andreas Nikolaus Lauda (1949–2019), born 22 February 1949 in Vienna, Austria, and died 20 May 2019 in Zürich, Switzerland, was an Austrian F1 driver — 3-time World Drivers' Champion (1975, 1977 with Ferrari; 1984 with McLaren); survived a near-fatal fire at the 1976 German GP and returned to racing 6 weeks later.

The Family's Roots: A Wealthy Viennese Family

The Lauda family is a wealthy Viennese industrial family; Niki was disowned when he pursued racing over the family business.

His Parents

Father: Ernst-Peter Lauda — Austrian industrialist.

Mother: Elisabeth von Aigner Lauda.

His First Wife: Marlene Knaus

Marlene Knaus — married Niki in 1976; divorced 1991.

Their Children (with Marlene)

Lukas Lauda, born 1979 — son.

Mathias Lauda, born 30 January 1981 — son; racing driver (endurance/Aston Martin).

His Second Wife: Birgit Wetzinger

Birgit Wetzinger, born 1979 — flight attendant with Niki Lauda's airline. Married Niki in 2008. Donated her kidney to him in 2005 before marriage.

Their Children (with Birgit)

Max Lauda, born September 2009 — twin.

Mia Lauda, born September 2009 — twin.

Niki's Son (with a woman he was not married to)

Christoph Lauda, born 1981 — from a relationship with Austrian.

The Lauda Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Ernst-Peter Lauda — industrialist.

Mother: Elisabeth von Aigner Lauda.

First Wife: Marlene Knaus (m. 1976, div. 1991).

Second Wife: Birgit Wetzinger (b. 1979; m. 2008).

Children (Marlene): Lukas (b. 1979); Mathias (b. 30 January 1981) — racing driver.

Child (relationship): Christoph Lauda (b. 1981).

Children (Birgit): Max (b. September 2009); Mia (b. September 2009) — twins.

Nephew: Freddy Lauda — racing driver.

Niki Lauda:

  • Born 22 February 1949, Vienna
  • Formula V, Formula 3, Formula 2 (mid-1960s to early 70s)
  • F1 debut: 1971 Austrian GP (March)
  • BRM 1973; Ferrari 1974–1977 (champion 1975, 1977)
  • 1976 German GP crash: 1 August at Nürburgring — car burst into flames; extreme burns; last rites given. Returned 6 weeks later at Italian GP.
  • Brabham 1978–1979; retired
  • Returned McLaren 1982–1985 (champion 1984 by 0.5 points over teammate Prost — closest ever)
  • 25 wins, 24 poles, 54 podiums, 3 titles
  • Founded Lauda Air 1985; Niki airline; Laudamotion 2018
  • Non-executive chairman of Mercedes F1: 2012 — 2019 (recruited Hamilton)
  • Double lung transplant August 2018
  • Died: 20 May 2019, Zürich — kidney failure at 70

What the Lauda Family Story Teaches Us

An industrialist father who cut off his son for racing. Two marriages — the second to a woman who donated him a kidney. Four children (plus one out of marriage). A career that came back from a fireball to win 2 more championships.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Niki story carries the same lesson. Some careers walk out of the fire and win again.

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