Ridle Baku is a German professional footballer of Congolese heritage who plays for RB Leipzig. Born in Mainz on April 8, 1998, he grew up in a large family and shares an especially close relationship with his twin brother, professional footballer Makana Baku.
Who is Ridle Baku’s girlfriend?
Ridle Baku’s girlfriend is Michelle Hendrich. Originally from Leipzig, Michelle studied law and previously appeared in German television programs including Temptation Island, Take Me Out and Leben. Lieben. Leipzig.
Michelle moved from Leipzig to Wolfsburg during Baku’s time with VfL Wolfsburg. His January 2025 transfer to RB Leipzig therefore brought the family closer to her original home city.
The couple has generally limited the amount of information shared about its family life. There is no verified announcement confirming that Ridle Baku and Michelle Hendrich are married.
How many children does Ridle Baku have?
Ridle Baku and Michelle Hendrich have one publicly confirmed child. Their baby was born on May 5, 2023, although the couple waited until June to announce the news.
Reliable reports published at the time stated that the parents had chosen to keep their child’s name and gender private. Some later profiles described the child as a daughter, but Baku and Michelle did not originally confirm that detail publicly.
Who are Ridle Baku’s parents?
Ridle Baku’s father is named Lutumba. His mother’s name has not been widely disclosed in reliable public sources. Both parents come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The couple moved to Germany in 1992 and eventually settled in Mainz, where Ridle and his twin brother Makana were born six years later. Their parents raised a large family while maintaining a connection to their Congolese heritage.
Baku’s father was passionate about football and also played the sport. He gave his son the nickname “Ridle” because he admired former German international Karl-Heinz Riedle. Baku was originally named Bote Nzuzi Baku but later officially added Ridle to his legal name because everyone had called him that since childhood.
Does Ridle Baku have siblings?
Ridle Baku has six siblings. The best known is his twin brother, Makana Nsimba Baku, who is also a professional footballer.
Makana has represented clubs in Germany, Poland, Turkey and Greece. He also played for Germany at youth level. Ridle has described their relationship as especially close, and the brothers regularly exchange advice about football.
Another brother, Kokolo Baku, also pursued football. Known by the nickname Dali, he spent time in the youth systems of Darmstadt and FSV Frankfurt before playing at amateur level. The names and personal details of Ridle’s other siblings have not been widely published.
RB Leipzig’s official introduction to the player confirms that he comes from a family of seven children and highlights his close relationship with Makana.
Why are Ridle and Makana Baku associated with German football legends?
Ridle’s father gave his twin sons football-inspired nicknames. Bote became known as Ridle after Karl-Heinz Riedle, while Makana was reportedly called Rudi after former Germany striker Rudi Völler.
Ridle became so closely identified with his nickname that he officially incorporated it into his name in 2018. His full name is now Bote Ridle Nzuzi Baku.
Ridle Baku’s Congolese family heritage
Although Baku was born and raised in Germany, his family comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He visited the country for the first time in 2022 and later became involved with a project supporting education for Congolese children.
In an interview with VfL Wolfsburg, Baku discussed his family connection to DR Congo and explained that he and Makana visited their father’s brother during the trip.
The experience encouraged him to support educational and community initiatives in the country through the children’s organization World Vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ridle Baku’s girlfriend?
Ridle Baku is in a relationship with Michelle Hendrich, a law graduate and former German television participant originally from Leipzig.
Is Ridle Baku married?
There is no reliable public announcement confirming that Ridle Baku and Michelle Hendrich are married.
Does Ridle Baku have children?
Yes. Baku and Michelle have one child, born on May 5, 2023. The parents initially kept the child’s name and gender private.
Who are Ridle Baku’s parents?
His father is named Lutumba, while his mother’s name has not been widely disclosed. Both parents are originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How many siblings does Ridle Baku have?
Ridle Baku has six siblings, making him one of seven children in the Baku family.
Who is Ridle Baku’s twin brother?
His twin brother is Makana Nsimba Baku, a professional winger who has played club football in Germany, Poland, Turkey and Greece.
Is Kokolo Baku related to Ridle Baku?
Yes. Kokolo Baku is another of Ridle’s brothers. He also played football but did not establish himself at the same professional level as Ridle and Makana.
Why is he called Ridle Baku?
His father gave him the nickname Ridle in tribute to former Germany striker Karl-Heinz Riedle. He later made Ridle part of his official name.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
