Renate ‘took overdose on honeymoon with Elton’
ELTON John’s former wife Renate Blauel tried to kill herself after he told her their marriage was not working only three days into their St Tropez honeymoon, according to bombshell court documents.
Ms Blauel, who was married to Sir Elton between 1984 and 1988, says she took an overdose of Valium tablets after he allegedly told her to return home. She was rushed to hospital to have her stomach pumped and later flown to England.
The claims emerged yesterday in documents filed by Ms Blauel as part of her multimillion pound damages claim against Sir Elton over his public discussion of their marriage. The couple agreed not to discuss the marriage in public after splitting up, with Ms Blauel saying she wanted to live a private life.
She said his 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, German-born Ms Blauel claims Sir Elton should have known she would suffer due to previous mental health issues.
However, Sir Elton, in his defence to her claim, has denied knowing she was susceptible to mental health problems and claims nothing he has said breached the agreement. But in fresh filings at the High Court, Ms Blauel’s barrister Adam Wolanski QC says Sir Elton knew of her struggles with “depression and anxiety” – citing her alleged suicide attempt and anxiety attack in front of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
“The defendant knew the claimant attempted to commit suicide,” said the barrister. “Five to six months after their wedding, the claimant and the defendant went on their honeymoon to St Tropez. They were joined by
Bob Halley, the defendant’s personal assistant. Three days into the honeymoon, the defendant told the claimant the marriage was not working and that he wanted her to return to England.
“The claimant was upset. She left the property to go on a walk and, on her return, obtained Valium tablets from the luggage of Mr Halley.”
But in defence papers, Sir Elton’s barrister Colin West QC says the singer denies breaching the terms of the divorce agreement.
And the singer’s legal counsel Jenny Afia added: “Elton has always respected Renate’s privacy and will continue to do so. We also find it baffling this claim is centred around privacy when at every stage Renate has chosen to file these claims in the public domain.” The case has not yet reached court.