Tennis legend Boris Becker has announced the birth of his fifth child, coinciding with his 58th birthday. The former world No.1 shared the joyful news on social media, marking a new chapter in his life following a series of personal and financial challenges.
Becker, who was once a dominant force on the tennis court, has faced significant hurdles in recent years. Less than three years ago, he was released from a British prison after serving time for financial misconduct. He was found guilty of transferring large sums of money and concealing assets after being declared bankrupt, leading to his deportation to Germany.
A New Chapter for Becker
Upon his return to Germany, Becker quickly resumed his professional life, taking up roles as a tennis commentator and later marrying his partner, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. The couple, who have a 24-year age gap, welcomed their daughter, Zoë Vittoria Becker, on Friday. Becker expressed his happiness on social media, writing, “Welcome to the world… Zoë Vittoria Becker.”
This new addition to Becker’s family is another twist in the life of a sporting superstar whose personal and financial troubles have often overshadowed his athletic achievements. Despite earning a substantial fortune during his career, Becker’s wealth dwindled due to tax issues, a lavish lifestyle, and a costly divorce settlement with his first wife, Barbara, in 2001.
Becker’s Financial and Personal Turmoil
Becker’s personal life has been as tumultuous as his financial affairs. In 1999, he fathered a child with Russian model Angela Ermakova following a brief encounter in a London restaurant. This incident occurred while his then-wife Barbara was pregnant with their second child. Becker also has a son with his second wife, Lilly, born in 2010.
In 2018, Becker attempted to claim diplomatic immunity from his bankruptcy proceedings, asserting that he had been appointed as a sports envoy to the European Union for the Central African Republic. However, this claim was debunked when the country’s foreign minister declared the passport a “clumsy fake” and launched an investigation.
Despite reports of a split, Lilly Becker claimed in 2022 that she was still married to Boris Becker, stating, “Estranged wife as that may be, but we’re still very much married and have been since we went our separate ways.”
Life After Prison
Becker’s time in Wandsworth Prison was a stark departure from his life of fame and luxury. In his autobiography, released earlier this year, he detailed the harsh realities of prison life. He described his first night in a cell as “the loneliest moment I’ve ever had in life” and recounted the challenges of daily life behind bars.
“Trying to shave with the stubby little razor they had given me, I ended up with nicks on my cheeks and stabby slashes under my chin and down my neck,” he wrote.
Becker also highlighted the prevalence of drugs within the prison, noting, “As the days went by, I learned that you could get anything you wanted in prison. Alcohol was easy. People made it themselves with sugar, fruit, and other things you could buy legitimately with your allowance from the canteen … then there were the drugs.”
His experiences in prison have been a significant part of his narrative, shedding light on the challenges faced by high-profile individuals who fall from grace.
A Resilient Comeback
Despite the setbacks, Becker has shown resilience in rebuilding his life. After his release, he returned to the tennis world, not only as a commentator but also as a coach. He notably coached Novak Djokovic to six Grand Slam victories between 2013 and 2016, demonstrating his enduring influence in the sport.
The birth of his daughter marks a hopeful new beginning for Becker, who continues to navigate the complexities of his personal and professional life. As he celebrates this milestone, the tennis legend remains a figure of public intrigue, his life story a testament to both the heights of success and the depths of personal struggle.
