Tennis legend Boris Becker, the former world No. 1 and six-time Grand Slam champion, has welcomed a new addition to his family. The German icon and his wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, who is 24 years his junior, have announced the birth of their first child together, a baby girl named Anna. The news confirms the couple's growing family unit and marks a joyous new chapter for Becker, who is already a father to four children from previous relationships.
LONDON — The baby's arrival was first revealed by Becker's eldest son, Noah, in a since-deleted social media post, before the tennis star himself confirmed the happy news to the German press. Becker, 56, and Monteiro, 32, have been married since 2023 in a private ceremony in Switzerland. In his statement, Becker expressed his profound happiness, stating, "We are overwhelmed with happiness, everything went well, and most importantly, Lilian and our daughter Anna are well."
A Love Story Forged in Adversity
The couple's relationship began during one of the most challenging periods of Becker's life. They were first linked in mid-2022, while Becker was serving an eight-month prison sentence in the UK for insolvency offenses. Monteiro, a successful businesswoman and the daughter of a wealthy financier, stood by Becker throughout his incarceration and subsequent deportation to Germany. Their bond, forged in the crucible of his legal troubles, has been described by friends as unbreakable.
Becker has often spoken about Monteiro's profound impact on his life, referring to her as an "old soul" whose maturity and stability provided a anchor during his turmoil. In an interview with The Daily Mail, Becker elaborated on this, saying, "She is an old soul. She is very wise. She has seen a lot, although she is very young. She has a great family, she has travelled the world, she speaks five languages. She is very bright."
Their wedding in September 2023 was an intimate affair, attended only by their closest family members. The ceremony took place at a prestigious hotel in Becker's adopted home of Schaan, Liechtenstein. The couple has since been residing there, building a life together away from the intense media spotlight that has followed Becker for decades. The birth of their daughter solidifies this new, more private phase of his life.
Becker's Expanding Family Tree
Baby Anna is Becker's fifth child, but his first with Monteiro. The tennis champion's family is a testament to his complex personal history, with children from three different relationships. His journey into fatherhood began with his marriage to Barbara Feltus, with whom he shares two sons:
- Noah Gabriel (born 1999)
- Elias Balthasar (born 2001)
Following his divorce from Feltus, Becker had a daughter, Anna Ermakova (born 2000), from a brief relationship with a Russian model. The circumstances of Anna's birth were highly publicized, but Becker has since embraced his role as her father, and they have developed a strong relationship. Most recently, Becker was in a long-term relationship with Dutch model Lilly Kerssenberg, with whom he has another son:
- Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis (born 2010)
The arrival of a new Anna—his second daughter to bear the name—signals a fresh start. Becker has expressed his joy at being a father again, emphasizing the unifying effect it has had on his entire family. He noted that all of his children were thrilled about the new baby, a sentiment that underscores the close-knit dynamic he has worked to foster among his diverse brood.
Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro: The "Old Soul"
While often seen in the shadow of her famous husband, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro is a formidable and accomplished individual in her own right. Born in 1991, she hails from a prominent family; her father, Sandro Monteiro, is a wealthy financier of Portuguese descent based in Angola. She was raised in a multicultural and affluent environment, which provided her with a global perspective and a first-class education.
Her professional and personal background is impressive and helps explain the "old soul" description Becker so frequently uses. Key aspects of her life include:
- Education: She holds a degree in International Business from the European University in Geneva.
- Languages: She is fluent in Portuguese, English, German, French, and Spanish.
- Career: She has worked in the luxury goods sector and co-founded a high-end furniture company.
- Philanthropy: She is actively involved in charitable work, particularly with organizations focused on children's welfare.
Friends of the couple describe her as a calming and grounding influence on Becker, whose life has been marked by extreme highs and devastating lows. Her steadfast support during his imprisonment and deportation is frequently cited as the bedrock of their relationship. A source close to the pair stated, "Lilian was his rock. She never wavered. She has a strength and maturity that goes far beyond her years, and Boris credits her with saving him."
A New Chapter on and off the Court
The birth of his daughter coincides with a period of professional resurgence for Becker. After his release from prison and subsequent deportation, which barred him from the UK for a decade, he has rebuilt his career as a television pundit and coach. He notably coached Holger Rune and has become a respected analyst for Eurosport and other German broadcasters. This new chapter of family life and professional stability stands in stark contrast to the chaos of just a few years ago. In a recent interview, Becker reflected on this transformation, stating, "I have found peace. I have a wonderful wife, a beautiful new daughter, and my family is complete. Life is good."
The story of Boris Becker and Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro is more than a celebrity birth announcement; it is a narrative of redemption, resilience, and love that blossomed against all odds. As they embrace parenthood together, the couple looks forward to a future defined not by past mistakes, but by the joy and promise embodied in their newborn daughter, Anna.