Marjorie Rieu makes an Exception and Talks to Bild Stars

André Rieu's Wife Does Not Like To Speak About Herself

She Makes An Exception For BILD Stars

His Family ... Wife Marjorie: the soul: 

For 40 years she has been a wife. But who is she really -- very few really know that.

BILD Stars: November, 2015: Marjorie Rieu is the woman in the background. She shuns the spotlights and seldom speaks in public. For BILD Stars she was willing to make a huge exception. In this first interview after a long time, she reveals her love secret, speaks about family happiness and swimming suits in the closet.

Four decades of marriage with a star. How does that function?

That is not entirely correct. I have not been married to a star for 40 years. When we married André was a very sympathetic, poor music student. After our wedding he accepted a job in a Symphony Orchestra and at the same time started to play in a small ensemble playing Salon music. I assisted him in finding a proper repertoire. The huge fame which he now has came gradually. Only 20 years ago did he have his great break through with the "Second Waltz" by Shostakovich. So we have had many years to get used to Stardom.

What is your secret for happiness?

We love and respect each other very much. We love to work together and we complete each other perfectly. I am not a musician, but do love music very much. Also privately we have many common interests. But fortunately each of us also has his own interests and hobbies.

What do you love about your husband?
Almost everything! Most of all that he is a loving person, always willing to help other people.

And what do you admire most about him?
His courage. He always has the courage to leave known ways and start new ones. He gave up his job, jumped into a total state of uncertainty, all to realize his dream. That's what he does all the time, boldly breaking new grounds.

Women all over the world lie at his feet. Why aren't you jealous?
Why should I? They don't know him at all. They only know the star on stage. Having a crush on him goes with this job.

When was the last time you argued and about what?
We never argue. Nobody believes that, but it is the truth. We do not always agree, but that should never end in an argument.

I think it's most important to control my own life,

without being asked all the time whether I am the wife of ... I am simply me.

Was it love at first sight?

At that time we were still too young for that. I was 15 and he 13. At that time you had no idea of "big love" at that age. But we liked each other from the beginning.

You have been a harmonious couple for decades. But, what do you have which he does not have yet? And what does he have that you don't?

I think I have more patience, I am less impulsive. He does things too quickly, drives fast too, which I definitely do not like. And whatever he has in mind, will happen. I am more relaxed, and rather adapt myself to the circumstances. When something does not work, then don't do it.

Please give us 5 reasons why you ever would want to marry him again.

He is the most loveliest human being I know and he still looks very attractive. He accepts me the way I am, from 40 years ago and still today. He is very emotional. He loves nature and all animals.

Why haven't you given any interviews in many years and why are you seldom seen in public?

That depends on what you mean by "in public". It is not that I hide in my house. Why should I? The only thing I don't like is to be known as the wife of André Rieu. I am still the same independent person I was before he became known and famous. And I prefer to stay like that. That is the reason why I, for instance, am not together with him in public to receive awards. I will never walk with him on a red carpet. He is the star, not I. And I place a lot of emphasis on leading my own life, without constantly being asked, if I am .......'s wife"? I am simply me.

How do you spend your spare time together?

Probably like every other normal human being. At home, cooking, playing with the grandchildren, our dogs, reading, or watching TV. And actually we are always busy with our jobs. We talk about new ideas, programs, concerts, CDs, businesslike items. There is no clear separation between spare time and work!

Can you actually still listen to Strauss waltzes and which music do you like most?

Strauss composed wonderful waltzes and I can always listen to them. I love to listen to all the CDs André has recorded. I also love watching his DVDs.

Actually they are the result of our mutual work and it would not be good if I did not like to watch them. We both value the details in our work and then it gives us joy to watch and listen to the concerts again later on.
And what else do I like to listen to? Well, there is hardly any music I do not like. Jazz maybe, that does not do anything for me. And I do not particularly care for today's Pop-music. Older music, yes: and classical, opera, operetta, musicals, songs. As long as I won't go deaf, I'll keep on enjoying music.

Could you please mention three things which you would rather not have experienced, and three things which you still would love to experience together.

The passing of my parents was of course very tough. That was a hard blow for me as well as André. At some point, most of us experience the death of their parents. You have to deal with it. Somewhere you find the strength to go on without your beloved parents. My mother really was André's biggest fan. Otherwise I have always been very lucky in life.

I cannot say that there are things which I did not want to experience. Sometimes you simply just ignore many. As an after the war (WWII 1940-45) born child, I was brought up very strict and therefore might take life as it comes. My parents had a very hard time during the war. My Jewish father had to go into hiding and almost lost a big part of his family. My mother was a resistance fighter. As a child I always got to hear: "You did not experience the war, so don't be griping". That influences you of course.

What we still like to experience together? In any case that our four grandchildren - the fifth is on its way - grow up healthy. Hopefully we live long enough that we may see them as adults. They are such sweet children now, they will become great adults for sure!

Imagine, your husband says: "I'll have my hair cut short". What will your reaction be?

If he wants to do that, why not? I am sure he will look good that way too. When I learned to know him, he had short hair. He looked good. He always looks good!

Do you have more evening dresses in the closet, or does your husband have more tuxedos?

Haha, I definitely do not have any evening dresses at all, so that answer is clear! But I definitely have more swimming suits than he has swimming trunks. I swim for my health, he does not.

Together you survived your husband's illness (2012 Virus Infection, a three month break) and financial problems. Is there still something that can make you fearful?

Although we know now that we have had some experience in coping with worries, it is still terrible if someone in our family were to suffer from something bad. You cannot prepare yourself for this in life. But we know, that no matter what happens, we will always stick together.

Profession of Love Between Two Book Covers

Marjorie Rieu wrote for André "My music, my life". And as a token of his appreciation he gave her a small golden booklet on a chain, in which both their names had been engraved."

Translation by both Ineke and John