‘I feel used’: Ex-wife breaks silence over Schumacher’s personal news

Michael Schumacher’s brother took the F1 world by surprise with his personal news, but it wasn’t well received by his former partner.

Ralf Schumacher’s ex-wife has broken her silence after the former Formula One driver came out as gay.

Schumacher, 49, shared a photo to Instagram in July of himself embracing his partner named Etienne as they looked out at a sunset from a boat.

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His caption, originally in German, read: “The most beautiful thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side you can share it with.”

The personal news resulted in a flood of support for Schumacher, but for his ex-wife it wasn’t all happiness.

Cora and Ralf were married from 2001 to 2015 and have one child together, son David who is now 22-years-old.

But the news of Ralf coming out caught Cora by surprise as she found out on social media like the rest of the world.

“I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect,” she told Der Spiegel, via Marca.

The couple were married for 14 years. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Ralf and Cora in 2009. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Cora said the news was not only a shock to the system, but left her looking back on their entire relationship, claiming she felt “used” and had “wasted my best years”.

“During his career in F1, there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that maybe I needed psychological help,” she said.

“When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always affects those around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child.

“Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I’ve wasted my best years. I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me?

“And there’s something even more important that’s on my mind: did he love me? I trusted him blindly and that’s why his word was law for me.”

Ralf's Instagram post where he officially came out. Photo: Instagram.

Ralf Schumacher (L) with his new partner (R), and friend Carmen Geiss. Photo: Instagram.

While Cora was blindsided by the news, his son shared his support for his father on social media shortly after he came out.

“I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure, no matter if they are a man or a woman,” he wrote.

“I am 100 per cent behind you dad and wish you all the best and congratulations.”

Carmen Geiss, a close friend of Ralf’s and a German actress, replied to the post in the comments section, revealing his partner to be a man called Etienne.

“I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH. You have the best partner, Etienne, you can imagine,” she wrote.

“After 2 years you can finally show your love to the world. I have known Ralf for more than 25 years and he has always been a great joy to me.

“Always liberal, a good-hearted person who I can call day and night and above all has always been honest with me in his position.

“I am happy that I got to be a part of this love and even more happy for the two who searched and found each other, because I also love Étienne deeply.”

- with The Sun

Originally published as ‘I feel used’: Ex-wife breaks silence over Schumacher’s personal news