Boris Becker and Lilly Becker divorced after 8 years, 9 months of marriage. The settlement was reportedly about $14M. See the full timeline.
Figures are reported estimates. Last updated Oct 2026.
The tennis legend later faced bankruptcy and a prison sentence for fraud.
Boris Becker, the German tennis champion who won Wimbledon at the age of 17 in 1985, and Sharlely Kerssenberg, known as Lilly, a Dutch model, met in 2008 in Miami and married on 12 June 2009 in a ceremony in Italy. Lilly was from Suriname and the Netherlands. The couple had a son, Amadeus, born in 2010. Becker had previously been married to the actress Barbara Feltus and had children from earlier relationships.
Becker's fortune came from a tennis career in which he won six Grand Slam titles, including three at Wimbledon, as well as from endorsement deals and commentary work. He earned tens of millions in prize money and sponsorship. In later life, however, he suffered a series of financial setbacks, and in 2017 he was declared bankrupt in London. He was convicted in 2022 of concealing assets and served part of a prison sentence.
The couple married in 2009 and had a son in 2010. They separated in 2018, and the divorce was finalized in 2018 or 2019 after about nine years of marriage. Their divorce was linked to Becker's bankruptcy proceedings, and the sums involved were affected by the claims of his creditors. Becker then began a relationship with Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro and married her in 2023.
Reports at the time suggested that Lilly might claim a large amount, but with Becker bankrupt, the real sums available were limited. A figure of about $14 million has been mentioned in some press accounts, but that is based on estimates of the couple's assets before the bankruptcy. The final financial arrangements were not published, and the sum is therefore uncertain.
Becker's name and past earnings led to expectations of a large payout, and Lilly had been married to him for nine years and had a child with him. However, the divorce took place while he was bankrupt, and his remaining assets were under the control of the trustees. The reported number may therefore reflect what was thought to be available rather than what was paid.
Becker's bankruptcy led to the sale of many of his trophies and personal items. Rather than benefiting from his tennis wealth, he faced a prison sentence for hiding assets and was released in December 2023 and deported to Germany. Lilly remained in the United Kingdom, where she works in media and as a model.
The Becker case differs from many of the big divorces on this list because the husband's wealth had been largely lost. It is a rare example of a divorce in which bankruptcy shaped the outcome. In this respect it is a contrast with the Woods and Norman divorces, in which the athlete's wealth was intact.
Becker became the youngest-ever men's singles champion at Wimbledon in 1985. He was Novak Djokovic's coach from 2013 to 2016. In 2022 he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. The $14 million figure is an estimate.
Lilly Becker's reported settlement was about $14 million.
They married in 2009 and divorced in 2018, a marriage of roughly 9 years.
No prenuptial agreement was reported.
Yes, the family is reported to include 1 children.
Reported assets include: London property, cash, endorsement proceeds.
Becker's name and past earnings led to expectations of a large payout, and Lilly had been married to him for nine years and had a child with him. However, the divorce took place while he was bankrupt, and his remaining assets were under the control of the trustees.