When people hear the name Niki Lauda, they think of fast cars, Formula 1 races, and great victories. But behind this strong racing legend was a calm and brave woman named Birgit Wetzinger. She was not a racer. She was not famous. Yet, she changed his life in the biggest way.
Birgit Wetzinger became known to the world because she gave Niki Lauda something priceless — a second chance at life. She donated her kidney to him when he was very sick. At that time, they had only been dating for a few months. Still, she did not step back.
In this article, we will learn everything about Birgit Wetzinger. We will talk about her early life, her job before fame, how she met Niki, and how her brave choice changed both of their lives. Let’s start from the beginning.
Birgit Wetzinger Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Birgit Wetzinger |
| Date of Birth | March 4, 1979 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 47 years old |
| Place of Birth | Vienna, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Profession | Former flight attendant |
| Education | Studied hospitality and management |
| Famous For | Donating a kidney to Niki Lauda |
| Relationship Status | Widowed (Married to Niki Lauda from 2008–2019) |
| Children | Twins – Max (son) and Mia (daughter), born in 2009 |
| Known For | Bravery, loyalty, and private lifestyle |
| Current Residence | Vienna, Austria |
| Public Personality | Private, calm, supportive, and strong |
| Life After Niki | Focused on raising children and managing the family estate |
Who is Birgit Wetzinger?
Birgit Wetzinger was born on March 4, 1979, in Vienna, Austria. Vienna is a beautiful city known for music, history, and old buildings. She grew up in this calm and cultural place, away from cameras and media attention.
Her childhood was private and simple. There are not many public details about her early years, and that is because she always liked to live quietly. Even today, Birgit Wetzinger prefers to stay away from public drama and gossip.
Growing up in Austria helped shape her strong values. She learned about family, loyalty, and responsibility at a young age. These simple but powerful values later helped her face some very big moments in life with courage and calmness.
Early Life of Birgit Wetzinger
Not much is publicly shared about her school life. However, it is believed that Birgit Wetzinger studied hospitality and management. These subjects focus on organization, people skills, and working in service industries.
Studying these fields helped her become professional and disciplined. She learned how to stay calm, how to deal with people kindly, and how to handle pressure. These skills later became very important in her personal life too.
Even before she became known as Niki Lauda’s wife, Birgit Wetzinger was building her own career. She was not looking for fame. She simply wanted to work hard and live a stable life.
Birgit Wetzinger Job as a Flight Attendant
Before the world knew her name, Birgit Wetzinger worked as a flight attendant. This job required patience, responsibility, and strong communication skills. It also meant traveling often and working in a fast-moving environment.
She worked for Lauda Air, the airline founded by Niki Lauda himself. At that time, she was just doing her job like any other employee. She was focused, professional, and respectful in her work.
Being a flight attendant taught her how to stay calm during stressful situations. It also helped her understand discipline and teamwork. These skills later helped her manage life in the public eye with grace.
How Birgit Wetzinger Met Niki Lauda
Birgit Wetzinger met Niki Lauda while working at Lauda Air. At first, their meetings were purely professional. She was simply an employee, and he was the owner of the airline.
Over time, Niki noticed her calm nature and intelligence. Their conversations slowly became more personal. In 2004, they officially started dating. At that time, Birgit was 26 years old.
There was a 30-year age difference between them. Some people were surprised by this. But for Birgit Wetzinger and Niki Lauda, age did not matter. What mattered was respect, understanding, and real connection.
The Kidney Problem That Changed Everything
In 2005, Niki Lauda faced a serious health problem. His kidneys were failing, and he needed a transplant. It was not the first time he had health troubles. His body was already weak from past injuries and medical issues.
Doctors first checked if his son Lukas could donate a kidney. Sadly, he was not a match. The situation became very serious. Niki’s life was at risk.
This was a very stressful time for everyone around him. They needed a donor quickly. That is when something truly life-changing happened.
Birgit Wetzinger’s Brave Decision
Even though they had only been dating for about eight months, Birgit Wetzinger offered to get tested. She simply said she wanted to help. Niki was shocked. He even told her not to do it.
He felt it was too soon. He did not want her to risk her health for him. But Birgit Wetzinger was calm and firm. She told him, “Because I want to.” She was not scared.
The tests showed that she was a perfect match. The surgery went well, and she successfully donated her kidney to Niki Lauda. Her decision saved his life. This moment became one of the most powerful parts of her story.
How This Act Changed Their Relationship
After the transplant, their bond became even stronger. This was not just a relationship anymore. It was a deep partnership built on trust and sacrifice.
Niki later said he married her not because of the kidney donation, but because she was the right woman for him. Still, everyone knew that her brave act showed her true character.
For Birgit Wetzinger, it was not about attention or praise. She did not look for headlines. She simply followed her heart. And because of that, Niki Lauda got a second chance at life.
Their Wedding and Private Love Story
In 2008, Birgit Wetzinger and Niki Lauda got married. The wedding was quiet and simple, just like them. It happened in Vienna and was attended by close family and friends. There was no big media show.
Even though Birgit had already saved his life with a kidney, Niki said he married her for love. He said clearly, “I married her, not because of the kidney, but because she was the right woman.” That simple line says a lot about how deep their bond was.
Their marriage was built on trust, care, and respect. They stayed out of the spotlight and focused on living a peaceful life. Birgit was always there by his side, both in good times and hard times.
Birgit’s Becoming a Mother of Twins
A year after the wedding, Birgit gave birth to twins — a boy named Max and a girl named Mia — in 2009. Niki was very happy. He said the twins gave him a second chance at being a father.
When his first two sons were little, Niki was busy with racing. He missed many moments. But with Max and Mia, he was more present. He spent time with them and felt young again.
Birgit, on the other hand, gave her full focus to being a great mother. She protected the twins from media attention and gave them a normal childhood. She raised them with love, care, and strong values.
Living Life Away from the Public Eye
Even though she was married to someone famous, Birgit Wetzinger never tried to be a celebrity. She liked to live a quiet and peaceful life. She attended some events with Niki, but never made herself the center of attention.
After becoming a mother, she kept things even more private. Her main goal was to give the twins a safe and happy life. She did not share much about her personal life with the public.
Birgit showed that it’s possible to be part of the public world but still protect your privacy. She lived with dignity, balance, and grace, even when people were curious about her life.
Losing Niki and Staying Strong
On May 20, 2019, Niki Lauda passed away at the age of 70. His death was felt around the world. Fans, friends, and Formula 1 teams all shared their sadness and memories of him.
For Birgit, this was more than just public news — it was a deep personal loss. She lost her husband, her partner, and the father of her children. But she stayed strong, calm, and quiet, just like she always had.
After his death, Birgit had to take care of many things, including legal and family matters. There were reports of disagreements about the estate. But Birgit chose not to speak in public about these things. She stayed focused on protecting her family and raising her children.
How People See Her Today
Today, Birgit Wetzinger is seen as a woman of great strength, love, and loyalty. People admire her not just for donating her kidney, but for how she carried herself through life — always calm, quiet, and kind.
She is a good example of someone who helped a legend, not by being loud or famous, but by showing love in simple, powerful ways. She supported Niki in his hardest moments and stood by him without asking for attention.
Birgit Wetzinger didn’t want the spotlight. But because of her actions, she earned deep respect from fans around the world. Her story shows that real love and loyalty don’t need to be loud — they just need to be true.
What Her Life Looks Like Now
As of 2026, Birgit Wetzinger continues to live in Vienna. She lives quietly with her twins, who are now teenagers. Her life is still private, and she doesn’t often appear in public or give interviews.
She inherited part of Niki’s estate, which gives her and the children a stable future. Even though media sometimes reports on her life, she keeps her focus on being a mother and taking care of her family.
Her daily life is not about fame or racing anymore. It’s about raising good kids, keeping peace in the home, and honoring Niki’s memory in simple, meaningful ways.
Final Thoughts
The story of Birgit Wetzinger is not just about being the wife of a famous man. It’s about a woman who made a brave choice out of pure love. She gave Niki Lauda a second chance at life when he needed it most.
She did not do it for fame. She didn’t want attention. She simply did what she believed was right. And through all the years, she stayed loyal, private, and strong.
Today, Birgit’s name is remembered for one reason — love. Her quiet actions, her big heart, and her strong spirit make her story one that people won’t forget.
(FAQs)
What is Birgit Wetzinger famous for?
She is best known for saving Niki Lauda’s life by donating a kidney to him after just 8 months of dating. Her story touched people around the world.
How did Birgit meet Niki Lauda?
Birgit met Niki while working as a flight attendant for Lauda Air, the airline Niki Lauda owned. Their relationship started in 2004 and slowly grew stronger.
How old is Birgit Wetzinger?
Birgit Wetzinger was born on March 4, 1979, which makes her 47 years old as of 2026.
When did Birgit and Niki get married?
Birgit and Niki got married in 2008 in a private ceremony held in Vienna, Austria.
Do Birgit and Niki have children together?
Yes, they have twins — a son named Max and a daughter named Mia, born in 2009.
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