Boris Franz Becker, a retired German tennis player, was born on November 22, 1967. Known as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Becker made his mark by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Wimbledon Championships’ gentlemen’s singles title at just 17 years old in 1985. Throughout his career, Becker won a total of 64 titles, including six Grand Slam singles titles.
Early Years and Tennis Career
Boris was born in Leimen, West Germany, to Elvira and Karl-Heinz Becker. His father, an architect, established a tennis center in Leimen where Boris started learning tennis. Boris attended the Helmholtz-Gymnasium in Heidelberg for his secondary education, where he balanced his academic pursuits with his budding passion for tennis.
The Fall from Grace: Legal and Financial Troubles
Becker’s retirement marked the beginning of legal issues and financial struggles that tainted his reputation. His conviction for tax evasion in 2002 resulted in a suspended two-year prison sentence. Financial issues led to a declaration of bankruptcy in the UK in 2017, followed by a conviction for hiding assets and loans, which led to a prison sentence in April 2022.
Boris Becker’s Prison Time and Release
Becker spent eight months in prison before being released and deported to Germany by UK authorities in December 2022. He described his time in prison as a humbling experience that taught him about survival and resilience.
Current Status: Boris Becker in 2023
Boris Becker is now back in his home country, Germany, after his deportation. He is barred from returning to the UK until at least October 2024. While he expressed a desire to resume his commentating role at Wimbledon, the final decision lies with the BBC and not Becker himself.
Health Status
Despite some minor health issues, Boris Becker is still very much alive and seemingly healthy. He was treated for a type of skin cancer in 2018 but thanks to early detection, Becker managed to successfully recover from it.
Boris Becker’s Personal Life: Relationships and Marriages
Becker had several significant relationships throughout his life. His most notable relationship was with Barbara Feltus, whom he married in 1993. They had two sons together before separating in 2000. Becker was later revealed to have fathered a daughter with Angela Ermakova. Becker married Dutch model Sharlely “Lilly” Kerssenberg in 2009, and they had a son before separating in 2018. The divorce process is still ongoing, and Kerssenberg accused him of not paying child support after his release from prison.
As of 2023, Becker was reportedly in a relationship with Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.
Despite the many ups and downs of Boris Becker’s life, from being a tennis prodigy to facing financial and legal troubles, he continues to live his life, a testament to his resilience and spirit.
