In memory of his wife Pia, who died at the beginning of November, former professional soccer player Christian Ziege published several photos and an emotional message on Instagram. In it, the 52-year-old writes: “Our world has stood still since November 4th. After a long, serious illness, Pia closed her eyes forever.”
Christian Ziege with his wife Pia in 2017 Archive photo: IMAGO / Future Image
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The couple has two children together, Pia has another daughter from a previous marriage. The ex-national player concluded with the words: “Pia, you will live on forever in our hearts.” Pia Ziege’s age is not publicly known.
See Christian Ziege’s mourning entry here:
Christian Ziege owes his life to Pia
Christian Ziege and Pia had been married since 1997. A year earlier, the footballer had won the European Championship in England with the German national team.
Christian Ziege and Pia during the 1996 European Football Championship. Archive photo: IMAGO / Alternate
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In the early 2000s, Goat would probably have died without his wife. Because of blood congestion in his leg, his life was unknown and in acute danger. Pia persuaded him to go to the hospital quickly – and thus saved his life, Ziege said in an interview after the incident.
Companions mourn with Christian Ziege
Numerous former companions and also his former employer FC Bayern Munich have expressed their condolences to Ziege. “Our condolences from the bottom of our hearts from the entire Bayern family,” commented the German record champions on Instagram.
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Among others, two-time Bundesliga top scorer Stefan Kuntz, ex-Bayern striker Giovane Elber and Olympic slalom champion Hilde Gerg also expressed their condolences.
