Who Is Niki Lauda? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Niki Lauda was born on February 22, 1949, in Vienna, Austria. He was an iconic Formula One driver who gained legendary status in the motorsport community for his exceptional driving skills and resilience. Lauda tragically passed away on May 20, 2019, but his legacy continues to inspire professionals and enthusiasts alike. As of 2025, Niki Lauda would have celebrated his 76th birthday, reminding his fans of his remarkable contributions to the world of racing.
| Occupation | Executives |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1949 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Austria |
| Date of death | 20 May, 2019 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Niki Lauda's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Lauda was known for his athletic build, which suited his demanding profession. During his competitive years, he stood at 1.74 meters (5 feet 8 inches) tall and weighed around 70 kilograms (154 pounds). His measurements reflected the fitness required of a top-tier racing driver, enabling him to handle high-speed maneuvers and the physical stress of racing.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Niki Lauda was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Margarethe, with whom he had two children, a daughter named Christina and a son named Lukas. After their divorce, he married Birgit Wetzinger in 2008, and the couple welcomed twins, a son and a daughter. Lauda's family remained an essential part of his life, and he often spoke about the strong bond he shared with them. While he did not have a boyfriend or girlfriend reported at the time of his passing, Lauda's relationships with his family were a significant aspect of his identity.
Lauda's previously good relationship with Ferrari was severely affected by his decision to withdraw from the Japanese Grand Prix, and he endured a difficult 1977 season; he won the championship through consistency rather than outright pace. Lauda disliked his new teammate, Reutemann, who had served as his replacement driver.
Lauda was not comfortable with this move and felt he had been let down by Ferrari.
"We never could stand each other, and instead of taking pressure off me, they put on even more by bringing Carlos Reutemann into the team." Having announced his decision to quit Ferrari at season's end, Lauda left earlier after he won the Drivers' Championship at the United States Grand Prix because of the team's decision to run the unknown Gilles
Villeneuve in a third car at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2019, Niki Lauda's estimated net worth was around $100 million. His wealth was primarily derived from his successful racing career, endorsements, and business ventures in the aviation industry, including the establishment of the airline Lauda Air. His financial acumen and shrewd investments contributed to his sizeable fortune, which continues to influence the legacy he left behind in the motorsport arena.
Joining Parmalat-sponsored Brabham-Alfa Romeo in 1978 for a $1 million salary, Lauda endured two unsuccessful seasons, remembered mainly for his one race in the Brabham BT46B, a radical design known as the Fan Car: it won its first and only race at the Swedish GP, but Brabham did not use the car in Formula One again; other teams vigorously proteste
d the fan car's legality and Brabham team owner Bernie Ecclestone, who at the time was maneuvering for acquisition of Formula One's commercial rights, did not want to fight a protracted battle over the car, but the victory in Sweden remained official.
The Brabham BT46 Alfa Romeo flat-12 began the 1978 season at the third race in South Africa. It suffered from a variety of troubles that forced Lauda to retire the car 9 out of 14 races.
Lauda's best results, apart from the wins in Sweden and Italy after the penalization of Mario Andretti and Gilles Villeneuve, were second in Monaco and Great Britain, and a third in the Netherlands.
Career, Business, and Investments
Lauda’s career in Formula One took off in the early 1970s, eventually leading him to three World Championship titles in 1975, 1977, and 1984. He was known for his fierce rivalry with James Hunt, which was famously portrayed in the movie "Rush." Beyond racing, Lauda was a successful businessman, notably founding and running Lauda Air. His ventures in aviation allowed him to expand his influence beyond the racetrack, creating a lasting impact in both industries.
Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda (22 February 1949 – 20 May 2019) was an Austrian racing driver, motorsport executive and aviation entrepreneur, who competed in Formula One from to and from to.
Lauda won three Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles and—at the time of his retirement—held the record for most podium finishes (54); he remains the only driver to have won a World Drivers' Championship with both Ferrari and McLaren, and won 25 Grands Prix across 13 seasons.
Social Network
As a celebrated figure, Niki Lauda was active on various social media platforms, where he shared insights about his life, career, and experiences in racing. Although he actively engaged with fans during his lifetime, his legacy is upheld through various fan pages and tributes across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. In 2025, Lauda’s fans continue to celebrate his life through online communities that reminisce about his achievements and contributions.
"There were basically two or three drivers trying to get me out of the car, but one was Arturo Merzario, the Italian guy, who also had to stop there at the scene, because I blocked the road; and he really came into the car himself, and uh, triggered my, my seatbelt loose, and then pulled me out.
It was unbelievable, how he could do that, and I met him afterwards, and I said, 'How could you do it?!'. He said, 'Honestly, I do not know, but to open your seatbelt was so difficult, because you were pushing so hard against it, and when it was open, I got you out of the car like a feather...'."
Education
Niki Lauda's education was not extensively documented; however, his early interest in mechanics and engineering significantly shaped his career in racing. He pursued a keen understanding of the technical aspects of automobiles, which aided his success in Formula One. Lauda’s dedication to learning and improvement was evident in his approach to racing, emphasizing not just raw talent but also strategic thinking and knowledge about vehicle dynamics.
In conclusion, although Niki Lauda is no longer with us, his impact on the world of motorsport and beyond remains significant. His biography reflects a life of perseverance, success, and a relentless passion for racing. As we remember him in 2025, we honor the legacy he built and the inspiration he continues to provide for future generations.
On 20 May 2019, Lauda died in his sleep aged 70 at the University Hospital of Zürich where he had been undergoing kidney dialysis. He had experienced a period of ill health exacerbated by his lung injuries from the 1976 accident. He had a double lung transplant the previous year, and kidney transplants in 1997 and 2005.
