Formula 1 News: Cora Schumacher Announces New Relationship
Cora Schumacher, the former wife of ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, has gone public with a new relationship. The 49-year-old German television personality is now dating American model Steven Bo Bekendam, 43.
Over the weekend, Cora shared a photo of the couple on Instagram, taken in Steven’s hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas. In her caption, she wrote:
“He gives me peace, he gives me hope, he makes me believe again. He’s the Bible by my bed, the T-shirt I’m wearing, the song stuck in my head. He’s solid, steady, and he’s truly one of the good ones.”
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The relationship comes roughly 18 months after Ralf Schumacher, 50 — younger brother of seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher — publicly came out as gay in July 2024 and revealed his partnership with French business manager Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne, 36.
New Partner’s Past
Cora has openly addressed Steven’s recent legal troubles. In an interview with German newspaper *Bild*, she confirmed that he spent 100 days in pre-trial detention facing allegations that included domestic violence. Steven denies the claims, and the case concluded without a conviction.
“Such situations arise when people are confronted with too many overwhelming events at once and can no longer bear the burden alone,” Cora said. “This can happen to anyone. I also had to process difficult experiences for which I was neither responsible nor did I cause them.”
She described Steven as “very caring, a true gentleman” and “simply a 10 out of 10.” Steven told the newspaper: “We’ve both been through a lot, and life has tested us. We understand each other’s challenge of overcoming old burdens that still linger.”
Background of the Marriage and Divorce
Cora and Ralf were married from 2001 to 2015. Following Ralf’s coming-out announcement, Cora expressed feeling blindsided, saying she learned of his sexuality through his Instagram post. She described the revelation as “a stab in the heart” and said she felt “used” during the marriage.
The public fallout was acrimonious. Cora appeared on German television, where she burned her designer Escada wedding dress from their 2002 ceremony. She later entered therapy to process what she called “old wounds” reopened by the announcement. She also accused Ralf of psychological manipulation, claiming he dismissed her earlier suspicions about his sexuality by suggesting she needed psychological help.
Ralf reportedly pursued legal action to limit Cora’s public comments about their relationship and his sexuality. Their son, racing driver David Schumacher, 24, publicly sided with his father and asked Cora to “leave us alone.”
Despite the strained family ties, Cora has kept the Schumacher surname, stating: “Why should I [change it]? I’d be stupid. As long as I can still make money from it.”
Cora, a former racer herself who competed in series such as the Mini Challenge and Dubai 24 Hours before retiring in 2018, did not publicly acknowledge David’s recent engagement to fellow driver Vivien Keszthelyi. The two no longer follow each other on social media.
Ralf competed in Formula 1 from 1997 to 2007, winning six Grands Prix.
Related Article: Formula 1 News: Ralf Schumacher announces he is gay