“misjudged the situation”
Jérôme Boateng admits mistakes after death of ex-girlfriend
Updated 11/18/2025 – 6:56 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Jérôme Boateng’s ex-girlfriend committed suicide in 2021. The former footballer looks back – and also admits a mistake.
Former national player Jérôme Boateng has commented comprehensively for the first time on the death of his former partner Kasia Lenhardt. In the three-part documentary “Being Jérôme Boateng”, which will be broadcast on ARD this Friday, the 37-year-old said: “I have lost someone I loved very much.”
Lenhardt committed suicide in Berlin in February 2021. Shortly before, her relationship with Boateng had publicly broken up. In the documentary, the long-time FC Bayern professional describes that he had the feeling “that I was somewhat denied the right to mourn. Only I can answer what it looks like in a person.” And further: “I’m still processing her death.”
The relationship between Boateng and Lenhardt, who was once a finalist on “Germany’s Next Top Model”, had made headlines. Also because Boateng made serious allegations against her in an interview shortly after the couple’s separation and before Lenhardt’s death.
Today he sees this step as a mistake. In the documentary, the 2014 world champion says: “What is clear and clear to me is that in retrospect I misjudged the situation and should have simply handled it better, differently.” This mistake will stay with him for the rest of his life.
Boateng is aiming for a career as a coach after his playing career ends. An internship with his former club in Munich and former teammate Vincent Kompany recently failed due to violent fan protests. “Jérôme feels very connected to FC Bayern and does not want FC Bayern to be damaged due to the current controversial discussion surrounding him,” said the German record champions in October.
With their protest, the Bayern fans are apparently also referring to the fact that Boateng was found guilty and warned by the Munich I Regional Court in 2024 for intentional bodily harm to an ex-girlfriend. Boateng denies ever hitting a woman.