Ralf Schumacher is preparing to celebrate his wedding to Étienne Bousquet-Cassagne in the south of France, an event that marks a new beginning in the life of the former Formula 1 driver after years of public tensions with his ex-wife, Cora Schumacher.The event, scheduled for the last weekend of May in Saint-Tropez, will bring together family and friends of the couple for three days of celebrations, according to exclusive information from the German media BILD.
The relationship between Ralf Schumacher, 50, and Cora, 47, has been the subject of media attention since their separation, after 13 years of marriage and a son in common, David Schumacher, 24. According to BILD, the former couple was involved in high-profile disputes, especially after the public revelation of Schumacher’s sexual orientation and the beginning of his relationship with Bousquet-Cassagne, of36 years.
Despite the prolonged estrangement, Cora surprised by sending a message of good wishes to her ex-husband and her future husband.“Steven and I wish Ralf and Etienne all the best and much happiness,” said Cora Schumacher, in statements collected by BILD and replicated by DailyMail.In his expression he included his current partner, the American Steven Bo Bekendam, 44 years old.The German media stressed that the gesture occurs despite the lack of personal contact between Cora and Ralf, and between the woman and her son David, a situation that has been going on for several years.
The wedding celebrations will last three days in the town of Saint-Tropez, where the couple resides for much of the year.Among the guests are personalities such as Robert and Carmen Geiss, according to BILD.An anonymous friend of Schumacher expressed his surprise at the decision to marry again, recalling a phrase attributed to Ralf himself: “He used to say, paraphrasing Oscar Wilde, when others married for the second time: ‘He who marries for the second time does not deserve his first divorce.’”
The joint history of Ralf and Cora Schumacher drags episodes of controversy.After the separation, the ex-couple was involved in a public dispute marked by crossed statements and accusations about the nature of their marriage.The tension intensified after the disclosure of the relationship between the former pilot and Bousquet-Cassagne.In July 2024, Schumacher made their relationship publicly official in an Instagram post.
Cora Brinkmann – the former model’s maiden name – stated that the news of her ex-husband’s new relationship took her by surprise and that from that moment on she went through difficulties with her mental health, including episodes of panic attacks.“It was the first time I learned about my ex-husband’s relationship,” she declared, alluding to the impact it had on her personal life.
The conflict transcended the legal level, with a judicial battle over family and property issues.The couple’s son, David Schumacher, distanced himself and made serious public accusations against his mother, which led to Cora’s decision to temporarily withdraw from social networks.
The controversy included rumors spread in German media about the existence of an alleged marriage contract that would have regulated the duration of the marriage and the payment to Cora to marry the F1 star.“I would be rich now if that had been the case,” responded Cora Schumacher when asked by comedian Oliver Pocher on his program Hey Olli!.”I did not sign a confidentiality agreement in a marriage contract. It does not say anything like that. Otherwise, I would never have gotten married,” he stressed, according to BILD.
During the same interview, Cora admitted that she questioned herself several times about the relationship during her marriage, but she ruled out having known about her ex-husband’s orientation before separating.”I didn’t know, otherwise I wouldn’t have married him. I wouldn’t have wasted my life for anything in the world,” she said.
For his part, Ralf Schumacher highlighted in an interview with RTL the harmonious present he lives with his current partner: “We have an incredible harmony and we understand each other perfectly. I never thought it could be so wonderful. The best thing would be if it continued like this forever.”Bousquet-Cassagne also publicly expressed his feelings through Instagram: “Every day, every hour, every minute, every second I spend with you is an absolute joy. The years go by, but the love I feel for you will never grow old.”
