Boris Becker

Boris Franz Becker (b. November 22 1967 in Leimen, Germany) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from Germany. He is a six-time Grand Slam champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and the youngest-ever winner of the men's singles title at Wimbledon. Since retiring from the professional tour, colorful aspects of his personal life have kept him in the headlines.

Personal life

On December 17 1993, Becker married Barbara Feltus, the daughter of an African American serviceman and a white German woman. Before the marriage, they shocked the country by posing nude for the cover of Stern (the picture was taken by her father). After the shock of their coupling faded, Boris and Barbara became the model for a New Germany. Becker gained the respect of his countrymen for his stance against racism and intolerance.

Related Topics:
December 17 - 1993 - African American - Stern

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However, all that changed when he asked Barbara for a separation. Becker claims he merely wanted some time out. But, she flew to Miami, Florida, USA, with their sons, Noah and Elias, and filed a petition in Miami-Dade County Court, sidestepping their prenup, which had entitled her to a single $2.5 million payoff. The January 2001 pretrial hearing was broadcast live to Germany. Germans sided with "Babs" as her lawyer made Becker out to be a cad. He was granted a divorce on January 15, 2001; she got a $14.4 million settlement, their Florida condo, and custody of Noah and Elias.

Related Topics:
Miami, Florida - USA - Miami-Dade - Prenup - January 15 - 2001

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His after-tennis life has been plagued by scandal. On February 8, 2001, DNA results forced him to admit paternity of a daughter, Anna (b. March 22, 2000), by Russian-African model Angela Ermakova. The child was conceived on the occasion of a quickie in the cupboard of the London restaurant Nobu after a drunken Becker fought with Barbara, who then left; Ermakova was a waitress there. He at first denied paternity, and his lawyers suggested that Ermakova was part of a blackmail plot devised by the Russian Mafia. In July 2001, he agreed to pay her $5 million.

Related Topics:
February 8 - 2001 - DNA - March 22 - 2000 - Quickie - London - Nobu - Russian Mafia

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He was convicted of tax evasion on October 24, 2002 when he admitted he lived in Germany from 1991-93 while claiming to reside in the tax haven of Monte Carlo. He was given two years' probation, fined $500,000, and ordered to pay all court costs.

Related Topics:
October 24 - 2002 - Monte Carlo

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In 2003 Becker published a tell-all autobiography, "Augenblick, verweile doch..." (English title: "The Player").

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