Marrying a famous person tends to invite the attention of the British tabloids. For Bastien Boosten, a Dutch entrepreneur who spent 10 years being Suzi Perry’s ex-husband, the experience was slightly different. His ex-wife was too busy being the first permanent female face of Formula One on British television and a tech icon on The Gadget Show; Boosten largely stayed out of the limelight. He didn’t want the limelight; he just wanted to lead a life that spanned across the Netherlands, the UK, and the sun-drenched hills of the South of France.
Even though the couple parted ways years ago, interest in the man behind the scenes remains high. It’s partly because Perry is such a beloved figure in the sporting world, currently heading up coverage for TNT Sports. But it’s also because their story wasn’t a typical celebrity car crash. It was a long-term partnership that balanced high-octane careers with a very grounded, European lifestyle.
Who is Bastien Boosten?
To understand the man, you have to look toward the Netherlands. Bastien Boosten is a professional through and through, carved from the world of international business. Unlike Suzi, who is famously obsessed with the latest tech and gadgets, Boosten was often described as the “analogue” partner in the relationship.
During the height of their marriage, Perry often joked in interviews with outlets like the Birmingham Mail that she was the one setting up the Wi-Fi and the smart home systems. He wasn’t a “gadget nerd”. He was a man who preferred the tangible aspects of life—business deals, family time, and the quiet of their home in the Var region of France. This contrast seemed to work for a long time. It offered a sense of stability against the frantic, jet-setting schedule of the MotoGP and F1 circuits.
Now, here’s a bit of a curveball. While Bastien has stayed quiet, some circles have recently linked his name to the high-end property market in the very region they once called home. Bastien Boosten is involved in luxury real estate, notably associated with SAS Property Azur, a firm that deals with some of the most stunning villas on the French Riviera. It makes sense, really. If you’ve spent years living in the South of France, you’re going to know exactly where the hidden gems are.
The Las Vegas Vows and a French Idyll
The story of their meeting could have been ripped from a mid-2000s rom-com. Suzi met the Dutch businessman while filming on location for The Gadget Show in Saint-Tropez in 2006. The spark was immediate. They were engaged in 2008, and a year later, they opted to scrap the traditional big-budget wedding in favour of a slightly more spontaneous alternative.
They headed to Las Vegas in 2009. They didn’t reserve a cathedral; they opted for the classic “Elvis” experience. It was easygoing and enjoyable and completely free of the stuffy expectations typically put on television stars. They built a life post-wedding that many would envy. They used to live in a beautiful place in the South of France, surrounded by vineyards and the Mediterranean air.
For Bastien Boosten, this time was about much more than being married to a celebrity. He was raising a daughter, Laurien, from a previous relationship. Suzi threw herself into the role of stepmother with astonishing warmth, often noting that her bond with Laurien was one of the most gratifying aspects of her life.
According to her Wikipedia profile, she has always had a very open heart about her feelings for her “bonus daughter” long after the marriage was over.
The 2019 Split and Moving On
Every relationship has its limits, and for this couple, their journey together ended in 2019. They filed for divorce after ten years of marriage and thirteen years together. There were no scandalous headlines or public spitting matches. It was instead a slow, dignified exit from a decade-old union.
Why do long-term marriages fail for people in the sports media? Most often, the brutal travel itineraries are the main reason. It’s often just due to the merciless travel itineraries. With 20 weeks a year spent on the road covering races, there is little time for “normal” domestic life. While Suzi Perry’s ex-husband stayed in the private sector, distance and diverging paths ultimately took a toll.
Since the divorce, Boosten has largely withdrawn from the public eye. He doesn’t walk the red carpets; he doesn’t do “tell-all” interviews. He’s retreated to the privacy most business professionals favour.
Life for Bastien Boosten in 2026
Bastien Boosten is still leading a private life as of April 2026. While many might anticipate that a high-profile ex-husband would exploit their shared history, Boosten has taken the opposite route. He has kept his business interests in Europe and is a devoted father.
Reports indicate that the family ties are respectful and that Laurien, his daughter from a previous marriage, is now an adult woman. It’s a rarity in the land of celebrity divorces, but one that reflects growing up on both sides.
Suzi Perry, meanwhile, has had a tough couple of years. She has been upfront about the heartbreak of losing her mother and the responsibilities of caring for her elderly father. She is as potent a force in sports broadcasting as she ever was, but she hasn’t remarried. The chapter involving Boosten remains her longest and most significant relationship since her first marriage to Steve Bullock in the 1990s.
A Final Thought
You can look at a celebrity’s life and see only the highlights. The glitz of the paddock, the gleam of the latest technology—the pretty houses in France. However, beyond all that, there are real humans like Bastien Boosten who do not want their privacy encroached upon for the sake of their profile.
You didn’t have to be a “gadget nerd” to make a difference. He was a partner, a father, and a businessman who helped create a sense of home for one of the busiest women on television. Now he’s just a man, living life on his terms. Honestly, we live in an era where every person wants to go viral; there’s something rather admirable about someone who opts for silence.
Well, that’s the reality of the Boosten-Perry story. No drama, no fireworks, just two people who grew apart and decided to move on with grace. Isn’t that how it should be?
FAQs
What does Bastien Boosten do for a living?
He’s a professional businessman from the Netherlands. Beyond his general commerce background, Bastien Boosten is involved in luxury real estate, notably associated with SAS Property Azur, proving he’s still got a sharp eye for the finer things in the South of France.
Is Bastien Boosten still in touch with Suzi Perry?
Though they no longer publicly share details of their private lives, they have always spoken respectfully of each other. Suzi is very close to his daughter, Laurien, which means there has likely been a bridge of communication over the years.
Where is he living now?
All signs suggest he’ll be dividing his time between the Netherlands and Southern Europe, continuing under the radar like he has since 2019.
Who was Suzi Perry’s first husband?
Before she met Bastien, Suzi was married to Steve Bullock, a model. That marriage lasted roughly four years.
Does Bastien Boosten use social media?
He doesn’t have a public-facing Instagram or Twitter (X) account. He’s a “private citizen” in every sense of the word, which is quite a feat in 2026.
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