Berlin, Germany – Former model and television personality Lilly Becker has initiated legal proceedings against Tanja May, the head of entertainment at German tabloid “Bild,” alleging breach of contract. The case, set to be heard at the Berlin II Regional Court on Tuesday, centers around a 2023 agreement concerning an interview and photoshoot with Becker.
According to reports from Der Spiegel and Tagesspiegel, the dispute stems from a contract that granted Becker significant control over the content published about her. Specifically, the agreement stipulated that Becker would have the right to review and approve the complete text of any article before publication, as well as having final say over the selection of accompanying photographs.
The core of Becker’s claim is that May did not adhere to these terms. She is initially seeking 200,000 euros in damages, but the total potential claim extends up to one million euros due to the use of multiple images. The legal team representing Becker, led by Michael Scheele of Legal Alliance, has indicated a willingness to discuss a settlement if May commits to objective reporting on Becker in the future. “Essentially, if Ms. May promises to report objectively about Ms. Becker in the future, we can discuss a settlement in court,” Scheele stated, according to Tagesspiegel.
The contract, as cited by Der Spiegel, explicitly stated: “Tanja May will present the final planned coverage to Lilly Becker at least one day before the planned publication. Lilly Becker will then grant approval or submit proposed changes. Springer and Tanja May will respect these proposals and resubmit a revised version to Lilly Becker for approval.” The agreement further stipulated that no publication would occur without Becker’s final approval, extending to the photographs taken of her.
However, May’s legal representatives argue that the contract was presented to their client under duress, alleging “pressure and misrepresentation of facts.” This counter-claim suggests a dispute over the circumstances surrounding the signing of the agreement.
Lilly Becker gained prominence through her marriage to tennis legend Boris Becker, from 2005 to 2018. The couple have one son together. Since their divorce, Becker has continued to maintain a public profile, working as a model and appearing on various German television programs, including “Schlag den Star,” “Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich hier raus!” and “Let’s Dance.” Her visibility and brand recognition are central to the damages she claims to have suffered as a result of the alleged breach of contract.
This legal battle highlights the increasing scrutiny of media practices and the rights of public figures to control their image and narrative. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for similar disputes between celebrities and media outlets in Germany, and potentially beyond. The court will first hold a video conference to determine whether a breach of contract occurred.
The case is being heard under file number 27 O 295/25 at the Landgericht Berlin II. As of today, March 16, 2026, the court has not released a schedule for further proceedings beyond the initial hearing this week.
The next step in this legal process will be the initial hearing at the Landgericht Berlin II, where arguments will be presented regarding the validity of the contract and whether a breach occurred. The court will then determine whether to proceed with a full trial or encourage further settlement negotiations. Archysport will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as they grow available.
