Cem Ozdemir has found love once more.
It wasn't until November of the previous year that Agriculture Minister of Germany, Cem Özdemir, declared his separation from his spouse, marking the end of a 20-year marriage. Fast forward to now, the 58-year-old politician finds himself smitten once more, this time with a Canadian lawyer who is two decades his junior. She's described as "extremely amiable."
Embracing solitude isn't on Özdemir's agenda. Less than eight months after his divorce announcement, Özdemir has a new companion in his life. Let's revisit the timeline.
Dating back to 2001, Özdemir found love in the form of Pia Maria Castro, an Argentinean journalist. The duo exchanged their vows in 2003 and was blessed with two children. But in November 2023, they disclosed their marriage's faltering after an impressive 20-year journey. Maintaining a semblance of friendship, they desired to refrain from making any further public statements, to protect their privacy and primarily to safeguard their offspring.
The couple's grand announcement of separation was not a sudden development. In fact, their path had diverged secretly before their separation became public knowledge. Thus, it was no surprise when Özdemir formed a bond with his new partner, Flavia Zaka, towards the last quarter of 2023. Their romantic dalliance officially commenced in the first month of 2024.
A Sting Concert in Stuttgart
The "Stuttgarter Zeitung" reportedly confirmed the existence of Özdemir's new flame and provided further details about her identity. According to the newspaper, Zaka is a 38-year-old Canadian lawyer, who is 20 years younger than Özdemir. Her background includes a degree in law and politics, as well as her past involvement with an initiative aimed at countering human trafficking in Ontario.
A recent event that saw Özdemir and Zaka in attendance at a concert by musician Sting, as part of the "Jazz Open" festival in Stuttgart from July 18 to 29, further substantiated their relationship. At the concert, Özdemir introduced Zaka to several acquaintances, including Canadian ballet star Eric Gauthier. Gauthier commended, "She is extremely charming, and it's clear how content Özdemir and she are with each other."
A confidential source close to the couple spoke to the newspaper, saying "They share a very harmonious relationship with Özdemir's former spouse."
Özdemir himself has yet to acknowledge his new relationship. However, his Stuttgart constituency office allegedly confirmed this information to the newspaper, conclusively establishing that he is no longer single.
Despite Özdemir's reluctance to publicly acknowledge his new relationship, his presence at the Sting concert with Flavia Zaka in Stuttgart in July 20XX and his introduction of her to acquaintances hint at their romantic involvement. Additionally, the confirmation from a confidential source and Özdemir's office further solidifies that 'celebrity couple' Özdemir and Zaka are no longer keeping their relationship a secret.
![For two decades, Ozdemir was in matrimony with Pia Maria Castro. For two decades, Özdemir was wed to Pia Maria Castro.](https://cdn.aussiedlerbote.de/content/images/2024/08/20/446164/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/ozdemir-was-married-to-pia-maria-castro-for-20-years.webp)