Niki Lauda Family Tree: The Story Behind Austria's F1 Legend

Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda, born 22 February 1949 in Vienna, Austria, was a three-time F1 World Champion (1975, 1977 with Ferrari; 1984 with McLaren) and one of the most-respected figures in modern motorsport. He died 20 May 2019 at age 70.

The Family's Roots: A Vienna Industrialist Family

The Lauda family is from Vienna, Austria. Niki's family was part of an old industrialist dynasty.

His Parents

Father: Ernst-Peter Lauda — Austrian industrialist; opposed Niki's racing career and refused to finance it.

Mother: Elisabeth Lauda (née Krainer) — homemaker.

His Brother

Florian Lauda, born 1951 — Niki's younger brother.

His First Wife: Marlene Knaus

Marlene Knaus — married Niki in 1976 (the year of his Nürburgring crash). They divorced in 1991.

Sons with Marlene

Lukas Lauda, born 1979 — son; works for Niki's airline management business.

Mathias Lauda, born 30 January 1981 — son; race car driver in GT and endurance racing (Aston Martin); now also runs management.

His Second Wife: Birgit Wetzinger

Birgit Wetzinger — Niki's flight attendant on Lauda Air; married Niki in 2008. She donated her kidney to him in 2005.

Twin Children with Birgit

Max Lauda and Mia Lauda, born 2009 — twins (son and daughter).

The Lauda Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Vienna industrialist family.

Father: Ernst-Peter Lauda — industrialist; opposed Niki's racing.

Mother: Elisabeth Krainer Lauda.

Brother: Florian Lauda (b. 1951).

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

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

Second Wife: Birgit Wetzinger (m. 2008; donated kidney to Niki 2005).

Twins with Birgit: Max and Mia (b. 2009).

Niki Lauda:

  • Born 22 February 1949, Vienna
  • Financed his own racing career against family opposition
  • F1 debut March Engineering 1971; BRM 1973
  • Ferrari: 1974–1977 — F1 World Champion: 1975, 1977
  • August 1976: nearly killed at the Nürburgring; survived major facial burns; returned to racing six weeks later
  • Brabham: 1978–1979; retired briefly
  • McLaren: 1982–1985 — F1 World Champion: 1984 (won by half a point over teammate Alain Prost)
  • Founded Lauda Air (1979–2002), Niki (2003–2011), Laudamotion / LaudaEurope (2017–2020)
  • Mercedes F1 non-executive chairman (2012–2019)
  • Died 20 May 2019, Zurich

What the Lauda Family Story Teaches Us

A Vienna industrialist father who refused to fund Niki's racing. Two wives. Four children across both marriages — Mathias became a racing driver, Lukas works management. A wife who donated her kidney to him. A 1976 crash that nearly killed him. A career that produced three world titles and three airlines.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Lauda story carries the same lesson. Family opposition often shapes a career as much as family support. Ernst-Peter's refusal to back Niki's racing is on the Lauda family tree alongside the 1975, 1977, and 1984 championships. Write down what the family said no to. The refusals shape the story.

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