Veronica Ferres and Carsten Maschmeyer announce separation after 15 years together

Announcement of the separation

German actress and producer Veronica Ferres and investor Carsten Maschmeyer have ended their relationship after more than 15 years together, their joint media attorney Christian Schertz confirmed to the dpa news agency on 25 August 2026. The decision to separate was reached amicably some time ago, according to a joint statement released through their legal representative. Both parties stated that their intense professional schedules and frequent international travel led their romantic relationship to transition into a lasting friendship. Schertz asked the public to respect the privacy of both individuals and their families, confirming that no further statements will be issued.

Our activities as an actress and producer and as an investor demand a lot of our time and require our presence in many parts of the world, far away from home. Over time, our love has evolved into a deep, trusting friendship.

From the Berlinale to marriage in Nice

The couple's relationship began through political and cultural circles in Germany. Maschmeyer wrote in his book, "Selfmade: erfolg reich leben", that former German president Christian Wulff introduced them at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2007. They spoke again in May 2008 at the birthday party of Scorpions singer Klaus Meine, before meeting six months later in South Africa, where their romance began. The pair became an official couple in 2009 and announced their engagement on 11 November 2011. In September 2014, they married in Nice on the French Riviera, marking the second marriage for both individuals. Maschmeyer subsequently moved from Hannover to Munich to live with Ferres.

Shared challenges and family commitments

During their 15-year relationship, the couple navigated several health and legal difficulties. These included an extortion attempt against Maschmeyer and his diagnosis and treatment for skin cancer. In 2021, Maschmeyer spoke publicly about overcoming a past addiction to prescription medication, referring to Ferres as his central anchor throughout that recovery period. Despite the separation, both noted that family ties remain unchanged. Ferres shares a daughter, Lilly, with film producer Martin Krug, while Maschmeyer has two sons from a previous relationship.

The well-being of our family comes first for us. For our respective stepchildren and our entire family, we are and will remain there with all our hearts.

Careers and recent public recognition

Both partners maintain high profiles in German public life. Ferres, aged 61 and originally from Solingen, has received awards including the Goldene Kamera, the Bambi, and the Grimme-Preis, having previously been in a relationship with director Helmut Dietl. On 24 August 2026, North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst awarded her the state's Order of Merit for her work supporting women's rights and critically ill children. Maschmeyer, aged 67, built his career after founding the financial consultancy AWD in Hannover, authored multiple books, and has served as a regular investor on the television programme "Die Höhle der Löwen" since 2016. On 8 May 2026, Ferres publicly marked Maschmeyer's birthday on social media, expressing gratitude for their shared memories prior to the announcement of their parting.