Slavica Ecclestone

Slavica Ecclestone was born as Slavica Radić on June 2, 1958 in Rijeka, PR Croatia, to Bosnian Serb parents, Jovo Radić and Ljubica Malić. When Slavica was a toddler, the family shifted to northern Bosnia in Maglajani where she spent much of her early years. At the age of seven, her parents separated. Slavica was single-handedly raised by her mother who infused in the young girl important moral qualities for leading a happy life.

It was while pursuing her modelling career that Slavica first met Bernie Ecclestone at a promotional event. The two were a complete mismatch – Bernie was 28 years older than Slavica. While he spoke only in English, Slavica conversed in Croatian and Italian. Furthermore, Radić, at 6 ft 2in, was nearly a foot taller than Bernie who was only 5 ft 2½ in tall. However, cupid had struck Bernie Ecclestone right at the first meeting. He pursued Slavica despite their mismatched attributes and finally got her. The two married in 1985. Slavica and Bernie Ecclestone welcomed two daughters, Tamara in 1984 and Petra in 1988. They have four grandchildren as well.

In 2008, more than 23 years into their marriage, news of Slavica and Bernie separating started doing the rounds. Slavica gave rest to the rumours by officially filing for divorce in November 2008. On March 11, 2009, the divorce was granted. The alimony received from the divorce helped Slavica make her way to the Sunday Times’ List of the ‘richest divorcees’ category. Another reports states that instead of Mr Ecclestone paying Slavica a good chunk of his fortune, she appears to be paying him at the rate of $100m (£60m) a year. As per the details of the divorce settlement, since his divorce from his wife, Mr Ecclestone has received payments on the basis of the British decree nisi. Though the duration of the payments from the divorce decree is not known, it is said that he has received close to half a billion from his ex-wife’s trust fund. Reports also states that he has been charged of paying £25m bribe to a German banker.

Slavica Ecclestone may have jumped up to fame, recognition and prominence after her marriage and eventual divorce to Formula One honcho Bernie Ecclestone but there is more to this leggy-lass than her marital status. Before gaining eyeballs and becoming a Page 3 celebrity as the love interest and wife of Bernie Ecclestone, Slavica was already a known figure in the modelling industry. She came from a humble background and was brought up by her mother singularly. But despite the hardships, Slavica did not give in to the tough times.

She held on to her dream of becoming a model. What struck in Slavica’s favour was her soaring height, her extremely confident persona and her bright shiny smile. Soon, she moved up the ladder and started working as an international fashion model. She became the face of number of prestigious brands and walked the ramp for leading designers and fashion houses. Radić was doing extremely well and had reached the magnum opus of her career. Big brands wanted to collaborate with her. She gave their designer wears a new oomph at the ramp which made the labels all the more in demand.