Who Was Brigitte Beckenbauer? Wiki, Age, Family & Facts About Franz Beckenbauer’s Ex-Wife

Brigitte Beckenbauer was the first wife of Franz Beckenbauer, one of the greatest footballers and managers of all time. She was also an actress who appeared in the movie Libero, a biographical film about her husband’s career. She died in 2021 at the age of 76, after a long illness.
Early Life and Marriage
Brigitte Beckenbauer was born as Brigitte Wittmann on September 13, 1944, in Ingolstadt, Bayern, Deutsches Reich (now Germany). Her father died in World War II when she was a child. She worked as a telephonist and secretary before meeting Franz Beckenbauer, who was then a rising star of Bayern Munich and the West German national team.

They married on September 11, 1966, on Franz’s 21st birthday, and had three sons: Thomas, Stephan, and Michael. All of them followed their father’s footsteps and became professional footballers.
Brigitte Beckenbauer Wiki/Bio
Name | Brigitte Beckenbauer |
Birth Name | Brigitte Wittmann |
Birth Date | September 13, 1944 |
Birth Place | Ingolstadt, Bayern, Deutsches Reich |
Death Date | April 16, 2021 |
Death Place | München, Bayern, Bundesrepublik Deutschland |
Occupation | Actress, Telephonist, Secretary |
Spouse | Franz Beckenbauer (m. 1966–1990) |
Children | Thomas Beckenbauer, Stephan Beckenbauer, Michael Beckenbauer |
Grandchildren | Luca Beckenbauer, Elias Beckenbauer, Francessca Beckenbauer, Noel Beckenbauer |
Movie | Libero |
@brigittebeckenbauer | |
Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Life as a Footballer’s Wife
Brigitte Beckenbauer supported her husband’s career, which brought him fame and glory, but also challenges and controversies. She witnessed him winning the World Cup as a player in 1974 and as a manager in 1990, as well as three European Cups and four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.
She also accompanied him to the United States, where he played for the New York Cosmos in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was known for her elegance and beauty and often appeared in magazines and television shows.
Acting Career and Divorce
Brigitte Beckenbauer also pursued her interests and passions, especially acting. She starred in the movie Libero, which was released in 1973 and directed by Wigbert Wicker. The film portrayed the life and career of Franz Beckenbauer, with him playing himself and Brigitte playing his wife. The film received mixed reviews and was criticized for being too self-indulgent and unrealistic.
Brigitte and Franz Beckenbauer separated in 1977 and divorced in 1990. Franz remarried twice, first to Sybille Beckenbauer and then to Heidi Beckenbauer, while Brigitte kept her maiden name of Schiller. She remained on good terms with her ex-husband and their children and attended many of his events and celebrations.
Death and Legacy
Brigitte Beckenbauer died on April 16, 2021, in München, Bayern, Bundesrepublik Deutschland (now Germany), after a long illness. She was buried at the cemetery at Perlacher Forst, near her son Stephan, who died in 2015 from a brain tumor.

Brigitte Beckenbauer was a remarkable woman who lived a remarkable life. She was the first lady of German football, the wife of a legend, and a mother of three talented sons. She was also an actress, a model, and a personality in her own right. She will be remembered for her grace, charm, and love.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Brigitte Beckenbauer’s net worth is not publicly known, but she was married to Franz Beckenbauer, who had a net worth of $20 million. at the time of his death. His source of income was mainly from his football and football management career, as well as from endorsements, sponsorships, and media appearances. Brigitte Beckenbauer was an actress who appeared in the movie Libero, which was based on Franz Beckenbauer’s autobiography. She also worked as a telephonist and secretary before meeting Franz.
Physical Stats
Weight | In Kilograms: 55 kg In Pounds: 121 lbs |
Height | In Feet Inches: 5′ 6″ In Meters: 1.67 m In Centimetres: 167 cm |
Hair Color | Blonde. |
Eye Color | Blue. |
How Did Franz Beckenbauer Die?
Franz Beckenbauer died on January 7, 2024, at the age of 78, after battling with Parkinson’s disease. He had also undergone heart operations in 2016 and 2017, and a hip replacement in 2018. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and one of only two men to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. He was nicknamed “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor) for his elegant style and dynamic leadership.
Parents and Siblings
Brigitte Beckenbauer was born as Brigitte Wittmann on September 13, 1944, in Ingolstadt, Bayern, Deutsches Reich (now Germany). Her father died in World War II when she was a child. Her mother’s name was Antonie Wittmann (née Hupfauf). She had no known siblings.
Who was Franz Beckenbauer?
Franz Beckenbauer was a German football legend who excelled as both a player and a manager. He was born on September 11, 1945, in Munich, Germany, and started playing for Bayern Munich at the age of 14. He became one of the most versatile and influential players of his generation, playing as a midfielder, a defender, and a sweeper. He was nicknamed “Der Kaiser” (The Emperor) for his elegant style and leadership skills.
Beckenbauer won numerous trophies and awards with Bayern Munich, including four Bundesliga titles, three European Cups, and one European Cup Winners’ Cup. He also captained the West German national team to victory in the 1974 World Cup and the 1972 European Championship and was named European Footballer of the Year twice. He is one of only nine players to have won the World Cup, the European Cup, and the Ballon d’Or.

After his playing career, Beckenbauer became a successful manager, leading the West German team to another World Cup title in 1990, becoming the second person to win the trophy as both a player and a manager. He also managed clubs such as Marseille and Bayern Munich, and served as the president of Bayern Munich and the vice president of the German Football Federation. He was instrumental in bringing the 2006 World Cup to Germany and was a member of the FIFA executive committee. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and managers of all time and was honored with many accolades, such as the FIFA World Cup Dream Team, the World Team of the 20th Century, and the FIFA 100.
Trivia
- Beckenbauer’s real name was Brigitte Wittmann. She changed it to Beckenbauer after marrying Franz, and to Schiller after divorcing him.
- Brigitte had four grandchildren: Luca and Elias, the sons of Thomas; and Francessca and Noel, the children of Franz and Heidi.
- Beckenbauer appeared in the movie Libero, which was based on Franz Beckenbauer’s autobiography of the same name. The film also featured other famous footballers, such as Pele, Bobby Moore, and Gerd Müller.
- Brigitte was active on Instagram, where she posted photos of her family, friends, and travels. Her account, @brigittebeckenbauer, had over 10,000 followers