The ex-wife of Ralf Schumacher says she feels “used” after he came out as gay.
The Formula One great announced to the world that he was seeing a man in a picturesque Instagram post last month.
Schumacher and his partner, Etienne, are pictured arm in arm looking out to a sunset on a boat.
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“The best thing in life is when you have the right partner by your side with whom you can share everything,” the post says in German.
The happy couple were flooded with messages of support from big names from around the globe.
But Schumacher’s ex-wife, Cora, said it hurt to find out the news via social media, rather than being included.
“I wish Ralf had included me or at least let me be part of his decision. It would have been a sign of respect,” she told Der Spiegel.
“During his career in F1, there were many rumours in the paddock. I asked him to clarify if what was being said was true, but he always denied it, telling me that I was imagining everything and that maybe I needed psychological help.”
Cora and Ralf share 22-year-old son David, who has declared his full support to his father.
“I am very happy that you have finally found someone with whom you really feel that you feel very comfortable and secure, no matter if they are a man or a woman,” he said.
“I am 100 per cent behind you, dad, and wish you all the best and congratulations.”
But Cora said finding out “was like a stab in the heart” after being married for 14 years between 2001 and 2015.
“Coming out always affects those around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child,” the German model and TV presenter said.
“Today I feel used during the marriage. I feel like I’ve wasted my best years. I ask myself many questions. Was he honest with me?
“And there’s something even more important that’s on my mind: did he love me? I trusted him blindly and that’s why his word was law for me.”