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Boris Becker claims he wasn’t entirely the bad guy in his scandalous marriage infidelity affair. The tennis legend just opened up on his cheating past after decades of silence. In a bombshell interview, the former Wimbledon champion insists his ex-wife Barbara received a lucrative divorce settlement as payback.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Affair: June 1999, at London’s Nobu restaurant with Russian model Angela Ermakova while Barbara was in hospital
- Settlement Details: £10 million plus ongoing monthly support paid to Barbara Feltus after divorce finalized in 2001
- Becker’s Defense: Claims no active contractions occurred when affair took place, calling reports exaggerated
- Current Status: 58-year-old Becker now lives in Milan, Italy with wife Lillian and newborn daughter Zoe
The Infamous London Restaurant Incident
Boris Becker revealed shocking details about his affair in a recent appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast. The tennis icon admitted to cheating on his first wife, Barbara Feltus, but now disputes years of sensational reporting. He confessed that he and Russian model Angela Ermakova engaged in a liaison in the broom cupboard at Nobu restaurant in June 1999.
What made the affair particularly controversial was the timing. According to widely reported accounts, Barbara was in hospital ahead of giving birth to their son Elias. However, Becker has now pushed back against these claims. He insisted there were no contractions taking place when he cheated, suggesting the reports have been blown out of proportion for tabloid drama.
Boris Becker claims he ‘wasn’t the bad guy’ over his marriage infidelity scandal
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How the Divorce Power Dynamic Shifted
Becker didn’t shy away from acknowledging his wrongdoing. Yet he presented a controversial perspective on the aftermath. Speaking candidly, the 58-year-old said his ex-wife had the power because I was the bad guy. He claimed she got a nice cheque out of it and a nice monthly support from the massive settlement.
The couple divorced in 2001 after reaching a reported £10 million settlement. Becker described this as financial leverage Barbara wielded following his indiscretion. Interestingly, the couple eventually rebuilt their relationship on foundations of mutual respect. According to Becker, they managed to have a relationship built on respect despite the infidelity and subsequent divorce.
Timeline of Boris Becker’s Personal Life
| Event | Year | Details |
| Affair at Nobu | June 1999 | Cheated with Angela Ermakova while Barbara was in hospital |
| Son Elias Born | 1999 | Barbara gave birth to second son with Boris |
| Separation | After 1999 | Barbara and Boris separated following infidelity |
| Divorce Finalized | 2001 | Settlement reached with £10 million payment |
| Second Marriage | 2009 | Married Dutch model Sharlely Kerssenberg |
| Current Wife | Present | Married to Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro with newborn Zoe |
Co-Parenting Success and Family Evolution
Becker emphasized his commitment to fatherhood despite the marriage breakdown. He stated he really looked after his two oldest sons even though they lived in Miami rather than Europe. Remarkably, 25 years later, Becker and Barbara have developed a close knit family relationship built on mutual respect.
Barbara recently moved to Milan, Italy to be closer to Becker and their family network. This proximity underscores how their relationship evolved from scandal to cooperation. Becker praised Barbara as a wonderful mother to their two oldest boys, acknowledging her parental excellence despite the turbulent marriage history.
“I like to call myself a good father. I really looked after my two oldest, even though they weren’t living in Europe at the time, and they moved to Miami. So 25 years later, we really consider each other a close knit family, regardless of what happened.”
— Boris Becker, in interview with The Louis Theroux Podcast
Becker’s Current Life After Prison and Redemption
Becker faced additional turbulence beyond his marriage scandals. He served time in a British prison for hiding assets and loans to avoid paying debts. Upon release, he was deported to Germany but has since rebuilt his life. The tennis legend now resides in Milan with his current wife Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro.
In November 2025, Becker and Lillian welcomed their newborn daughter Zoe Vittoria. Becker has described this relationship as fundamentally different from his previous marriages. He claims Lillian loved him when he had no wealth, no fame, and no athletic prowess, making this union uniquely authentic.
Does Becker’s Defense Hold Up After Years of Silence?
Becker’s recent narrative about power dynamics and financial leverage raises questions about accountability for his actions. While he acknowledges cheating, his framing shifts focus to his consequences rather than his ex-wife’s emotional pain. Barbara had to navigate divorce while recovering from childbirth, yet Becker positions the settlement as her gaining leverage over him.
Tennis fans and observers remain divided on whether his explanation clarifies the historical record or merely offers self-justification decades later. What’s undeniable is that Becker and Barbara achieved genuine reconciliation, proving that even the most painful relationship ruptures can heal with time and mutual effort.
Sources
- The Louis Theroux Podcast – Boris Becker’s candid interview revealing details about his infidelity and current life
- Daily Mail – Comprehensive coverage of Becker’s marriage scandal and settlement details from March 2026
- MSN Entertainment – Recent reporting on Becker’s claims about the circumstances of his affair and divorce settlement
