Elton John agrees with ex-wife Renate Blauel not to talk about their four-year marriage after they privately settle her £3m damages claim over details in his autobiography and Rocketman film
Sir Elton John and his ex-wife Renate Blauel have resolved a bitter £3million legal dispute over an agreement not to talk openly about their marriage.
Ms Blauel, a German recording engineer, sued Sir Elton for allegedly breaching an agreement the pair signed after their divorce in 1988 following a four-year marriage.
She initially asked for an injunction to prevent future public disclosures as well as damages and costs said to be around £3 million.
Sir Elton and German-born Ms Blauel had met in 1983 while the star was finishing his Too Low for Zero album, which included the hit singles 'I'm Still Standing' and 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues'.
They were married at a star-studded ceremony in Sydney, Australia, in February 1984, but divorced four years later.
In the acrimonious battle played out in the courts this year, Sir Elton claimed his ex-wife 'just wanted to get money from him' after court documents revealed she said she had tried to kill herself when he told her their marriage wasn't working only three days into their St Tropez honeymoon.
Ms Blauel claimed she took an overdose of Valium tablets after he told her he wanted her to leave the honeymoon and go home.
Ms Blauel sued Sir Elton over 'repeated and flagrant' breaches of the agreement in his 2019 memoir Me and in the biopic Rocketman, also released in 2019
At the time of their split in 1988, the pair signed a contract which included a clause preventing either of them from discussing their marriage or the reasons for their separation. Pictured, the couple on their wedding day in 1984
A spokesman for Sir Elton said today: 'The parties are happy to announce that they have resolved this case, in a way that acknowledges Renate's need for privacy.
'For her part, Renate acknowledges that Elton has acted in a dignified and respectful way towards her in the last 30 years and has been always happy to help her.
'They will not be discussing each other, or their marriage, in future and will be making no further comment about the case.'
At the time of their split in 1988, the pair signed a contract which included a clause preventing either of them from discussing their marriage or the reasons for their separation.
Earlier this year, Ms Blauel sued Sir Elton over 'repeated and flagrant' breaches of the agreement in his 2019 memoir Me and in the biopic Rocketman, also released in 2019.
Ms Blauel had claims that her former husband's discussion of their relationship in his book 'Me, Elton John' - as well as scenes in the 'Rocketman' biopic - led to renewed public interest in her.
According to court documents, Ms Blauel claimed Sir Elton should have known that she could suffer psychiatric harm, due to previous mental health issues she had suffered.
However Sir Elton, in his defence to her claim, denied knowing she was susceptible to mental health problems and claims that nothing he has said was in breach of the agreement.
Ms Blauel, a German recording engineer, sued Sir Elton for allegedly breaching an agreement the pair signed after their divorce in 1988 following a four-year marriage. Pictured, the couple in 1984
In earlier court papers, Mr Wolanski claimed that - following the release of the 'Rocketman' movie - Ms Blauel had found herself back in the public eye due to renewed interest in her.
In papers filed in his defence, the singer's legal team denied breaching the agreement, arguing the details in the book and film are public knowledge and that the contract 'applies only to private and confidential matters'.
Five scenes from Rocketman were referenced in Ms Blauel's claim including scenes showing their wedding day as well as sleeping in separate bedrooms.
Another scene depicts Sir Elton in a group therapy session discussing the failure of his marriage 'on account of his unhappiness and in particular his sexuality,' the claim read.