Motsi Mabuse, the South African-born professional dancer and judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, has found herself in the midst of a legal battle with her ex-husband. The 40-year-old is reportedly being sued for £70k over a financial dispute, which has sparked widespread interest from fans of the popular show. As the details of the case emerge, many are left questioning what led to this unexpected turn of events for the beloved TV personality.
Motsi Mabuse, the German dancer and television personality, is reportedly being sued by her ex-husband, Timo Kulczak, over claims she made in her autobiography that he was controlling and banned her from having a baby. Last year it was reported that Mabuse was planning to take legal action against Kulczak, who divorced the TV judge and dancer in 2014, after she also told how he limited her access to money and dictated what she ate. Finding My Own Rhythm, Mabuse’s memoir, was released in September 2022. Kulczak is seeking £70,000 from Mabuse in retaliation to her claims, which he has strongly refuted, and is demanding that she states publicly that the claims made in her book and cited press reports are untrue. The lawsuit is said to have been filed at Offenburg Regional Court in Germany, and as a German citizen, Mabuse is not permitted to disregard it, and will be given a deadline by which to respond.
Mabuse, the sister of Strictly Come Dancing champion, Oti Mabuse, married her first love, Kulczak, when she was 22. She broke off their 11-year marriage in 2014. According to her book, her difficult relationship with Kulczak held her back professionally as he refused to let her open a dance school; he took charge of her finances, paying her an allowance from what she earned from her TV appearances and dance classes; chose what they ate; and refused to split up with her when she spoke to him about it. Mabuse wrote: “Timo and I went to Thailand, and I told him, once and for all, that I was leaving. We fought every day, but I refused to back down this time.” Their relationship broke down after they stopped dancing together, despite previously winning two German championships together. Kulczak also declined her requests to have a baby and open a dance school together, according to Mabuse.
In November, Kulczak hit back at Mabuse’s claims, accusing her of fabricating them in order to “push book sales”, while claiming they had even been in friendly contact since their divorce: “She did something bad to me and my family and I can’t accept that. Now I have reached a point whereby I cannot just let things stand as they are when something is put out there in public and is simply not true. I am deeply disappointed and hurt. Looking back, I remember a very good and positive and happy time that simply cannot be compared to some of the claims about me that have now come to light. I was a loving and caring husband who was always by her side at any time, when she needed help. I don’t feel I was controlling, I see all of what I did as organising and being helpful to her.” Kulczak’s lawyer has suggested that legal action could be taken in both Germany and England, but they seek to reach an amicable agreement.
Mabuse’s book, Finding My Own Rhythm, details her move to Germany as an 18-year-old to be with Kulczak, her swift realisation that she was not in love with him, and her eventual divorce and remarriage to Ukrainian husband, Evgenij Voznyuk, in 2017. While Mabuse insists that she and Voznyuk were never involved while she was with Kulczak, she admits that the pair did talk about their feelings for one another which did speed up her split from Kulczak. Mabuse and Voznyuk now live in Germany together, where they share a daughter, four, and run a dance school. Mabuse is still friends with Kulczak.
In conclusion, Motsi Mabuse’s personal life has been thrust into the public eye as she faces a lawsuit from her ex-husband for £70k. While the details of the lawsuit are still unclear, it’s important to remember that Motsi has had a successful career as a professional dancer and judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Her personal life should not overshadow her accomplishments and contributions to the world of dance. As the legal proceedings continue, we can only hope that a resolution is reached that is fair and just for all parties involved.
