Ralf Schumacher's ex-wife, Cora Schumacher has fired back at the former F1 driver amid their ongoing dispute, after claiming she "wasted her best years" on him following his recent revelation that he is gay.
Ralf, the brother of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, came out as gay last month, sharing an Instagram post of himself with his new partner, French business manager Etienne.
Cora, who was married to Ralf for 14 years and shares a son, David with him, reacted to the news by saying she "felt used." In response, Ralf leaked WhatsApp messages showing Cora congratulating Etienne on their relationship.
In the leaked WhatsApp messages, Cora appears to congratulate Ralf and his partner, saying "congrats" and "so happy for you both," after noticing they were wearing rings on their right hands and assuming they had married.
However, in a lengthy Instagram statement on Saturday, Cora denied this, revealing that she has received online abuse following the leak. She claimed she did not know Ralf was gay, but Ralf accused her of lying and leaked the messages to challenge her statement.
'Ralf Schumacher has published private messages within the framework of his media-influential Coming-out to discredit me and portray me as a liar. Apparently the system is behind this.
'(In the WhatsApp published by RS, which originated from Etienne and me, I had only tried to find out the truth at least from HIM. )
'I feel compelled to take this step public,' she wrote.
'This action has not only broken my trust but triggered a wave of hate and slander online that has hit me deeply! I'm subjected to things that are devoid of any truth. I'm being called a "gold digger" and "liar" it's alleged, I got into an arranged marriage ,
'I should keep my mouth shut, that wouldn't concern me anymore, (a coming-out now always affects the environment, especially the ex-wife with whom you gave birth to a child. )
'All these comments hurt me deeply - especially considering I myself was lied to for many years. I married because of love ! I didn't sign a confidentiality in a prenup. It doesn't say such a thing. Otherwise I would never have gotten married!
'Let me get one thing clear: I ain't never lied! The hate campaign being waged against me is very close to me and weighs me a lot.
'I just want my peace in peace. Living life and healing!
'Before you judge, remember: **#WordsMatter** - Words have power and can cause great damage.'
Ralf, 49, has been in a relationship with Etienne for two years after they met in Monaco, according to Carmen Geiss, an actress and close friend of the couple.
His son, David, 22, shared his support for his father on social media when he revealed he was homosexual.
But Cora reacted with fury when she broke her silence earlier this month, accusing Ralf of lacking respect and breaking her trust.
'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, via Marca.
'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.
'When he announced it, it was like a stab in the heart. Coming out always affects those around you, including the ex-wife with whom you had a child.
'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.'
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