F1 legend and Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public for over a decade after suffering life-changing injuries in a skiing accident back in 2013
Michael Schumacher reportedly flew back to his Swiss home for the birth of his first grandchild last month.
The Formula One icon, who sustained life-changing injuries in a skiing accident in 2013, became a grandfather after his daughter Gina and her husband, Iain Bethke, welcomed their new baby last month.
The 56-year-old hasn’t appeared in public for over a decade and remains out of the spotlight, with details about his health kept under wraps by the few in his inner circle who are still allowed to see him. That includes his eldest daughter Gina and her husband Iain, with the seven-time world champion believed to have been present to celebrate their journey into parenthood.
German outlet Bild reports that Schumacher was flown from his property in Majorca, Spain, to the family’s home in Switzerland by helicopter to be present in the days leading up to the birth.
Gina shared news of her daughter’s arrival with a heartfelt Instagram post which read: “Welcome to the world, Millie. Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives.”
The report adds that Schumacher’s family have faith that the new addition will give him fresh hope as he continues to battle with the after-effects of his accident, which happened on a skiing holiday in December 2013.
Schumacher’s life suddenly changed when he was skiing through an off-piste area of the French Alps and hit an exposed rock, before being flung into another rock 10 metres away which struck his helmet.
His helmet was cracked in two by the impact but he was initially conscious. Michael, who was 44 at the time, was unable to answer questions coherently and displayed ‘erratic’ behaviour. Medics called for an air extraction as he was airlifted to hospital at Moutiers, before being transferred to a specialist trauma unit in Grenoble.
The German motorsport legend was subsequently placed into a medically induced coma, which lasted for around six months. Since he regained consciousness, the Schumacher family, led by wife Corinna, have kept matters of the former Ferrari driver’s health strictly private.
Last year, there was speculation that Schumacher attended the wedding of Gina and Iain in Majorca, though that has never been confirmed.
Felix Gorner, a reporter for German broadcaster RTL who is reported to have a close relationship with the Schumacher family, said in March: “The situation is very sad. He needs constant care and is completely dependent on his caregivers.
“He can no longer express himself verbally. Currently, there’s a maximum of 20 people who can approach Michael. And, in my opinion, it’s the right strategy because the family is acting in Michael’s best interests. They’ve always strictly protected his privacy, and that hasn’t changed.”
Schumacher won five consecutive F1 world titles between 2000 and 2004, and he was once the highest-paid sportsperson on the planet. He came out of retirement in 2010 to drive for Mercedes, before retiring for the second and final time in 2012.