Tom Kaulitz's ex-wife is German model and hairstylist Ria Sommerfeld. Long before the Tokio Hotel guitarist married supermodel Heidi Klum, he spent several years in a relationship with Sommerfeld, culminating in a brief marriage that ended in divorce. While public attention often gravitates toward his high-profile life with Klum, his relationship history with Sommerfeld marks an important chapter in his early career in Los Angeles.
The pair first crossed paths in 2009 at a club in Hamburg, Germany. What followed was a prolonged courtship that lasted over half a decade before they officially tied the knot in 2015. However, the marriage was short-lived. By September 2016, Kaulitz filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and the legal dissolution was finalized in 2018.
Who Is Ria Sommerfeld?
Born in Berlin, Germany, on October 9, 1982, Ria Sommerfeld built a career independently of her high-profile ex-husband. Her parents immigrated to Germany from the Philippines, granting her German citizenship by birth. Before stepping into the public eye, she gained attention after winning the Miss Philippines Germany beauty pageant in 2004.
Aside from her pageantry background, she established herself as a professional hairstylist and model. Standing out in the European and American fashion circles, she eventually relocated to Los Angeles, where she crossed paths with Kaulitz after Tokio Hotel moved their base to the United States. Since her divorce, she has pursued entrepreneurial ventures and maintained a relatively private lifestyle centered around her design work and personal interests.
Timeline of the Relationship and Divorce
The timeline between Kaulitz and Sommerfeld spanned nearly a decade from their initial meeting to the finalization of their split:
- 2009: The couple meets at a nightclub in Hamburg and sparks a romantic connection.
- 2010–2014: The relationship deepens as Kaulitz relocates to Los Angeles, with Sommerfeld frequently supporting him during Tokio Hotel's transition to the US market.
- 2015: The couple marries in a private ceremony after dating for roughly six years.
- 2016: Cracks show in the union, leading Kaulitz to file legal divorce documents in September citing irreconcilable differences.
- 2018: The divorce process is officially finalized, clearing the path for both individuals to move forward.
Life After the Split: Where Are They Now?
Following the finalization of their divorce, both individuals took vastly different paths in their personal and professional lives. Sommerfeld stepped away from the intense media scrutiny associated with the German music scene. She became an entrepreneur and later announced her engagement. Her career remains rooted in styling and business ventures in California.
Tom Kaulitz quickly found love again. In May 2018, he went public with supermodel Heidi Klum, whom he married in a lavish Italian ceremony in 2019. Klum and Kaulitz frequently share details of their lives together through interviews and social media, contrasting sharply with Kaulitz's much quieter, private relationship with Sommerfeld.
For readers wanting to track broader pop culture timelines, major entertainment archives like Rolling Stone and Billboard document the shifting eras of Tokio Hotel's career alongside these personal milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were Tom Kaulitz and Ria Sommerfeld married?
They officially tied the knot in 2015 after dating for approximately six years, though they separated just a year later.
Why did Tom Kaulitz and Ria Sommerfeld divorce?
The legal filing cited standard irreconcilable differences, and neither party chose to air public grievances in the tabloids.
Does Ria Sommerfeld have children?
While she shares glimpses of her lifestyle and pets online, she keeps her immediate family details mostly private compared to her publicly vocal ex-husband.
What is Ria Sommerfeld's profession?
She is a trained hairstylist, model, beauty pageant titleholder, and entrepreneur based in the United States.
