Former tennis star Boris Becker, who is 56 years old, got engaged to his 33-year-old girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro after a secret proposal, reported German newspaper BILD.
Monteiro, 33, a political risk manager from the African island of Sao Tome and Principe, has been in a relationship with Becker for several years.
Following his release from prison, where he served eight months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence for insolvency crimes, they relocated together to Milan.
German magazine Bunte quoted Becker saying upon his release in 2022: “Because of her love, I survived. YES, SHE is the great love of my life. And I hope I always stay with her.” Their wedding is anticipated within a year.
Monteiro, who holds three degrees and is fluent in five languages, hails from a family of accomplished individuals. Her father served as Sao Tome and Principe's defence minister and was a presidential candidate in 2014.
Now residing with his girlfriend in what Bunte described as a “beautiful apartment” in 'the heart of Milan, Becker's life has taken a positive turn following his prison term for financial offences.
Reportedly, Becker proposed to Monteiro at Milan's Cathedral in 2021, but any wedding plans were put on hold due to his impending incarceration.
Monteiro remained a steadfast presence by Becker's side throughout court proceedings, even bidding him a farewell kiss when he was imprisoned last year, despite criticism from the judge for his lack of remorse.
This will mark Becker's third marriage. His relationship with Lilly Becker ended in 2018 after nine years together. His first marriage to Barbara Becker lasted one year less, from 1993 to 2001, ending amidst his admission of infidelity while she was pregnant with their second child.
Becker faced insolvency charges in 2022 after declaring bankruptcy and concealing assets totalling £2.5m. He concealed funds by failing to disclose his stake in a £1m German property and £700,000 in cash from a loan, among other assets.