Every year, on December 29, Michael Schumacher is remembered with great affection. It was on that day in 2013 that he suffered a skiing accident in Méribel, France, where he hit his head on a rock. Twelve years have passed and very little information has emerged about Schumacher. His family has managed, through a network carefully built over the years, to prevent practically nothing from leaking out about the health of the pilot who indisputably linked his career with Ferrari.
Ski accident in Méribel
In 2012 he ended his three-year stint with Mercedes and retired from Formula 1 at the age of 43, just before he turned 45 (he was born on January 3, 1969). Kaiser Schumi then suffered a skiing accident. It was learned that the helmet he was wearing at the time of the fall had been broken by the impact; in the hospital he fell into a coma and was transferred to Lausanne, Switzerland. After that, total silence. The family asked for privacy and so it happened. For almost a year nothing more was learned. In September 2014 it was announced that he had been transferred home, where he would receive very high-level health care from great professionals, among the doctors and nurses who attend to him every day.
When Jean Todt said he had seen a Grand Prix with Schumacher
After that, nothing for years and years. Very few people have the opportunity to see or visit him. Among them is Jean Todt, the man who brought him to Ferrari, who has occasionally given some small information. In 2020 he told the Daily Mail: “I saw Michael last week, he is fighting with his family”. A few months later he declared that the meetings were several times a month and, later, said that they had watched more than one Formula 1 Grand Prix together.
Corinna, Schumacher's wife, and Jean Todt overcome with emotion after a victory in Monza.
The words of Corinna Schumacher and Mick
In the documentary "Schumacher" released on Netflix, Michael's wife Corinna spoke about him, using clear words, carved in stone:
"I miss Michael every day, his whole family misses him, his children and his father. Even though he's here, he's not the same anymore."
While his son Mick, who later became a Formula 1 driver, spoke about the advice he received from Michael regarding motorsport and said honestly:
"Today we would understand each other differently. I think how beautiful it would have been. I would give anything to be able to talk to him."
Signature on the helmet for Jackie Stewart
Privacy is sacred. No news has been confirmed. Not even the one spread by some media about the presence of the seven-time world champion at the wedding of his daughter Gina-Maria, in October 2024. It is only known that Schumacher signed, with the help of his wife, a helmet that was then auctioned off for the Jackie Stewart association.
Court cases won by Schumacher family lawyer
But why is there no information about Michael Schumacher's health? There is no single answer, but a series of factors. First, a kind of agreement between the media, the Schumacher family and Sabine Kehm, the family's historical spokeswoman. The privacy of the former Ferrari and Benetton driver has not always been respected, of course there have been leaks of information and moments of incorrect behavior, but the Schumacher family has given a mandate to the lawyers to act.
As in the case of “Bunte”, a German magazine that was sued after publishing on its cover the news: “Michael walks again”. Lawyer Felix Damm declared in court that this was not true; the news was refuted and a compensation of 50 thousand euros was paid. In Germany there was also the case of “Die Aktuelle”: this magazine published an exclusive interview with Schumacher, which was actually generated by Artificial Intelligence. Legal action was immediately taken and the director was immediately dismissed.
The decisive factor is the selection of an extremely small group of people who can see him. Among them, in addition to his wife and children, are Jean Todt and former Ferrari drivers Gerhard Berger and Luca Badoer. Willi Weber, the historic manager at the beginning of his career, has remained completely outside since the accident. Some news about Schumacher's health was given a few years ago by Elisabetta Gregoraci, Briatore's former partner, who previously had first-hand information. Meanwhile, Lalia Hasanovic, now Sinner's fiancée, was Mick Schumacher's partner and has been able to see him in the past. But none of them spread anything, as well as the staff who follow him: doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, who have signed non-disclosure agreements and strictly respect secrecy.
The villas in Switzerland and the one in Majorca are inaccessible
Schumacher's residences - villas in Switzerland, as well as the one in Mallorca - are almost inaccessible, thanks to anti-drone surveillance. While the villa in Spain, bought by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, also has a helipad. Moreover, the transports have always been armored, as when the pilot was transferred under a false name to the hospital for an operation, with a private security service that helped maintain his privacy.
Despite all the measures, there have been risks. Suffice it to mention the theft of the medical record in 2014, during the transfer from Grenoble to Switzerland: a man tried to sell it for 50 thousand euros. He was arrested and ended his life in prison. A few years later, a member of staff, ignoring everything, secretly took a photo of the legendary pilot trying to sell it for a million pounds. He was sued and the photo was not published. He tried blackmail, but fortunately he did not succeed. Last February he received a three-year sentence.
Of course, no one can have a definitive answer about the health condition of the legendary former German driver. Schumacher lives at home, surrounded by the love of his family, and the equally constant presence of doctors and nurses who care for him every day.
