A break from everyday stress: Alena Gerber and Clemens Fritz treated themselves to a vacation in Greece with their daughter.
Alena Gerber (35) and her husband Clemens Fritz (43) have had an exciting few months. The former football star became the new managing director of football at Werder Bremen in the summer. “A big change, especially because the job comes with a lot of responsibility,” says Gerber in an interview with spot on news.
“With two full-time jobs, child and dog, and our organizations require a lot of management,” explains the model and presenter. The couple enjoyed their break with their seven-year-old daughter in Greece all the more. “The time with my family is always precious,” enthuses the 35-year-old and looks back on the past few days.
How much did you enjoy the break with your husband and daughter?
Alena Gerber: Oh, it was just wonderful! Time with my family is always precious, but when we have a beautiful place like Greece as a backdrop, it’s perfect. Experiencing new things together and just relaxing – that was really a dream.
What do you particularly remember from your vacation?
Gerber: I think what I remember most is how much we laughed. Whether on the beach, exploring small villages, staying at 91 Athens Riviera, or eating dinner with a view of the sea – there was just a particularly beautiful lightness in the air. Especially the shining eyes of my daughter every time she jumps into the clear sea are memories that will make us happy for a long time.
How difficult is it for you to get back to everyday life now?
Gerber: I can’t lie: it’s a bit difficult for me, because who wouldn’t rather enjoy the sun and Greek food for longer? But at the same time, I am also someone who really values everyday life. Our routines have their own magic, especially when you’re on the go a lot.
Her husband has been the new managing director at Werder Bremen since this year. How much has this changed your everyday family life?
Gerber: It’s of course a big change, especially because the job comes with a lot of responsibility. But we are very careful to always carry out our family rituals. On the weekends we have long breakfasts together and walks with our dog, and in the evenings our daughter likes to read her books to us. Even though the days are usually long, it is important to us to always find moments together in which we can switch off together.
How are the roles and everyday tasks distributed in your marriage?
Gerber: With two full-time jobs, a child and a dog and our organizations require a lot of “management”. Clemens has his own foundation for disadvantaged and abused children, the Clemens Fritz Foundation, and I am very active in animal protection, including for Peta, Four Paws and the Bremen Animal Shelter. At home I take care of everything organizational and creative related to the family, and my husband likes to take on the structured tasks, often sitting in the office at home in the evenings after his actual work. On the whole, we divide everything fairly, depending on what is going on and who is more busy.
As a sports presenter, you are also closely connected to football. Did your daughter inherit her parents’ passion for football?
Gerber: She takes more after me. She is very sporty, but anything with balls interests her less than dance, horses or gymnastics. I have to admit that I only watch football very, very rarely in my private life. (laughs)
Who is easier for your daughter to wrap around her finger, you or your husband?
Gerber: Oh, that’s definitely my husband! She has a very special relationship with him, and when she wants something, she knows exactly how to make him melt. But I really enjoy it, it’s just wonderful to see the two of them together.
What values do you attach particular importance to in your upbringing?
Gerber: It is important to me to give my daughter openness, respect and empathy. She should look at herself and others with a loving and open heart. It’s also important to me that she learns to be self-confident and believe in herself without losing sight of others. She is extremely fond of animals, has been sharing everything she has since she was little and always makes those around her laugh. We are incredibly proud of her.
What other plans have you made for the rest of the year?
Gerber: We have decided to make the rest of the year relaxed, but experience has shown that November is always the busiest month for me. But that’s exactly how I like it, I’d rather have a little too much stress than be bored.
Is it going to be in the sun again at Christmas?
Gerber: A few years ago we made it a routine to “run away” over Christmas because otherwise we always have the whole house full of family and friends and at some point my husband realized that I have a hard time saying no and even worse asking for help. The end result was always me standing in the kitchen for hours trying to organize the perfect Christmas for everyone, but family time was neglected. Now we mostly travel to the sun and enjoy our time together. This year we’re spontaneously deciding between skiing or sun, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
