Slavica Ecclestone: Early Life, Modelling Career, Family and Fortune
The story of a Croatian-born former model, her marriage to Formula One businessman Bernie Ecclestone, and her life after their famous divorce.
Introduction
Slavica Ecclestone lived an extraordinary life. She started as a fashion model. Years later, she became one of the wealthiest women associated with Formula One.
Her story goes beyond money.
Born in Croatia in 1958, she worked in fashion before meeting Bernie Ecclestone. Their relationship soon attracted international attention.
The couple married in 1985. They raised two daughters, Tamara and Petra, before divorcing in 2009.
Today, she is known for her substantial wealth and business interests.
Slavica Ecclestone Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full birth name | Slavica Radić |
| Popular name | Slavica Ecclestone |
| Other known name | Slavica Malić |
| Birth year | 1958 |
| Age in 2026 | 68 years |
| Birthplace | Rijeka, former Yugoslavia (now Croatia) |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Profession | Former fashion model |
| Known for | Modelling, Formula One connections and wealth |
| Former husband | Bernie Ecclestone |
| Marriage year | 1985 |
| Divorce year | 2009 |
| Children | Tamara Ecclestone and Petra Ecclestone |
| Reported wealth | £730 million in the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List |
| Business connection | Elm Cove Limited |
| Listed residence | Monaco |
Who Is Slavica Ecclestone?
Slavica Ecclestone is a Croatian-born former model. She gained worldwide recognition through her marriage to Bernie Ecclestone, the businessman who spent decades running Formula One’s commercial operations.
But her career began earlier.
She worked as a model in Europe. Her assignments included work connected with the Italian fashion house Armani.
One event changed everything.
While working at the Italian Grand Prix, she met Bernie. Their relationship eventually made her part of one of motorsport’s best-known families.
Even after their divorce, she remained a wealthy public figure.
Recent business reports refer to her as Slavica Malić.
Early Life and Family Background
Slavica was born in Rijeka in 1958. At the time, the city belonged to Yugoslavia. Today, it is part of Croatia.
Her family had modest financial circumstances.
A 1997 report in The Independent described her working-class upbringing. It also discussed the financial difficulties she experienced during childhood.
Money was limited back then.
Her parents separated while she was young. She later left school and began working as a model.
That decision changed her future.
Her exact birthday differs between published accounts, so her birth year is the more reliable detail to use.
Education and Early Ambitions
Public information about her formal education remains limited.
Reports indicate that she left school during her teenage years and entered the fashion industry.
She did not become famous through university qualifications.
Modelling became her professional path.
There is no sufficiently reliable public record establishing a university degree or a complete academic history.
Slavica Ecclestone’s Modelling Career
Fashion opened new doors.
Slavica worked as a model during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
She gained assignments in Italy, where fashion and luxury advertising provided opportunities for professional models.
Her work included promotional assignments associated with Armani.
She was also known for her tall appearance, which made her noticeable during fashion and promotional events.
Her career brought her to Monza.
In 1982, she was working at the Italian Grand Prix when she met Bernie Ecclestone.
At that point, he was already an influential figure in motor racing.
Their meeting soon developed into a personal relationship.
How Did Slavica Meet Bernie Ecclestone?
The pair met at Monza in 1982.
She was working on a promotional assignment connected with Armani. Bernie was involved in Formula One management.
Their relationship attracted attention immediately.
There was a considerable age difference. Bernie was around 28 years older than her.
Their heights also differed noticeably.
Yet the relationship continued.
They married in July 1985, beginning a marriage that would last nearly 24 years.
Marriage to Bernie Ecclestone
Their marriage brought Slavica into Formula One’s international business circles.
Bernie was already a successful businessman. His influence in motor racing continued to grow during their years together.
The family became extremely wealthy.
Still, their home life was not always what outsiders imagined.
In interviews, their daughter Tamara described both parents as placing importance on money management and family values.
Slavica also maintained a strong interest in raising their children.
The marriage ended in 2009.
Slavica Ecclestone’s Children
Slavica has two daughters with Bernie.
Tamara Ecclestone
Tamara was born in 1984.
She became known through television appearances, modelling and her public lifestyle.
She has spoken openly about her childhood.
In a 2017 Guardian interview, Tamara described her mother as the parent who handled most of the discipline at home.
Honesty mattered in their family.
She also said her mother had taught her important lessons about money and relationships.
Petra Ecclestone
Petra was born in 1988.
She became known for fashion-related business activities and her interest in luxury properties.
She has also spoken publicly about her family.
Both daughters remained important parts of Slavica’s life after the divorce.
She is also a grandmother.
Why Did Slavica Ecclestone Divorce Bernie?
The marriage ended after years together.
In November 2008, Slavica filed for divorce.
A London court granted it on 11 March 2009.
The legal proceedings cited Bernie’s unreasonable behaviour.
Court documents reported that his behaviour had caused her stress and anxiety.
The separation attracted global attention.
Their marriage had lasted nearly 24 years, and the financial arrangements involved substantial assets.
The divorce also raised questions about trusts connected with the family’s Formula One wealth.
Slavica Ecclestone Divorce Settlement
The financial settlement became major news.
Reports described it as one of Britain’s largest divorce settlements.
Bloomberg reported in May 2024 that she had received more than £700 million through the divorce arrangements.
Other publications have circulated different figures.
The exact settlement is difficult to establish because the full financial details were not publicly disclosed.
The family’s trust arrangements also made the situation more complicated than a single payment.
For that reason, published settlement figures should be treated as reported estimates.
Slavica Ecclestone Net Worth in 2026
Slavica is associated with a substantial personal fortune.
The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List estimated her wealth at £730 million, placing her joint 209th.
Some celebrity websites report approximately $1.2 billion.
But those estimates are not identical.
The £730 million figure comes from a dated wealth ranking, while the dollar figure is a commonly circulated estimate.
Her exact net worth in November 2026 has not been independently confirmed.
Her fortune is linked to the financial arrangements surrounding her divorce and her later investment activities.
Business Interests and Elm Cove
Her financial story continued after divorce.
In August 2023, a UK company called SM Private Office Limited was incorporated.
The company changed its name to Elm Cove Limited in October 2023.
Bloomberg reported in May 2024 that it served as a family office for managing her wealth.
Former HSBC executive Fredrik Nerbrand was reported to have joined as chief investment officer.
The company was connected with investment management and family wealth administration.
There is a more recent update.
In October 2026, Companies House recorded an application to strike Elm Cove Limited off the UK company register.
As of 14 November 2026, the company was still listed as active, with a proposal to strike it off.
This filing does not confirm that Slavica has stopped all investment activity.
Where Does Slavica Ecclestone Live?
Her life has included connections with several countries.
She has been associated with luxury property in Britain and Croatia.
Croatian reports have also discussed a waterfront property in Zaton, near Dubrovnik.
Her current residential information is clearer.
UK Companies House records list Monaco as her country of residence.
Her personal property arrangements are not fully public.
Has Slavica Ecclestone Remarried?
Slavica has kept much of her personal life private since the divorce.
In a 2017 Guardian interview, Tamara said her mother was not interested in marrying again.
She described her mother as enjoying family life and spending time with her grandchildren.
That interview reflects her circumstances in 2017.
There is no reliable recent public confirmation of another marriage.
Slavica Ecclestone’s Name Change
Her surname has changed over time.
She was born Slavica Radić.
After marrying Bernie, she became widely known as Slavica Ecclestone.
More recent business and Croatian property records identify her as Slavica Malić.
UK Companies House also records her under that name.
This explains why current financial reporting sometimes uses a different surname.
What Makes Her Story Interesting?
Her personal history spans very different circumstances.
She grew up with limited money. She later found work in European fashion.
Then came Formula One.
Her marriage placed her among some of the wealthiest people connected with motorsport.
But her story continued after the separation.
Her later involvement in family wealth management shows a different part of her life, one that receives less attention than the famous marriage.
Slavica Ecclestone Life Timeline
| Year | Major event |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Born in Rijeka |
| Early 1980s | Worked in fashion modelling |
| 1982 | Met Bernie Ecclestone at Monza |
| 1984 | Daughter Tamara was born |
| 1985 | Married Bernie Ecclestone |
| 1988 | Daughter Petra was born |
| 2008 | Filed for divorce |
| 2009 | Divorce granted in London |
| 2023 | Elm Cove company established |
| 2024 | Family-office activities reported by Bloomberg |
| 2025 | Wealth estimated at £730 million |
| 2026 | Elm Cove filed for voluntary strike-off |
Final Thought
Slavica Ecclestone’s life changed dramatically over the years.
She started with a modest upbringing in Croatia and built a career in fashion.
Her marriage to Bernie brought international recognition, while the divorce became one of Britain’s most widely discussed financial separations.
But her story did not end there.
Her later business interests and close family connections remain part of her public story.
Today, she is remembered as a former model whose life became closely connected with Formula One’s business world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Slavica Ecclestone?
She is a Croatian-born former fashion model. She is widely known as Bernie Ecclestone’s former wife and the mother of Tamara and Petra Ecclestone.
2. How old is Slavica Ecclestone?
She was born in 1958. She is 68 years old in November 2026.
3. What is Slavica Ecclestone’s net worth?
The 2025 Sunday Times Rich List estimated her wealth at £730 million. An independently verified November 2026 figure is unavailable.
4. Who was Slavica Ecclestone’s husband?
Her former husband is Bernie Ecclestone, the businessman who previously ran Formula One’s commercial operations.
5. When did Slavica and Bernie divorce?
Their divorce was granted on 11 March 2009 in London.
6. How many children does Slavica Ecclestone have?
She has two daughters, Tamara and Petra Ecclestone.
7. Where was Slavica Ecclestone born?
She was born in Rijeka, which was part of Yugoslavia in 1958 and is now in Croatia.
8. Where does Slavica Ecclestone live now?
UK Companies House records list Monaco as her country of residence.
