Michael Schumacher well being puzzle unfolds as shut buddy slams ‘faux information’ about F1 icon

Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher has been shielded by his family with a high level of privacy since his heartbreaking skiing accident.

The celebrated Formula One hero, aged 55, has remained out of the public’s sight for more than 10 years following an incident that inflicted him with severe brain injury and profoundly altered his life. His family members, especially his devoted wife Corinna Schumacher, have formed a protective barrier, being exceedingly selective about visits.

However, there seemed to be a slight easing of the tight security surrounding him after reports surfaced that he was in attendance at his daughter Gina-Maria’s wedding to her partner Iain Bethke earlier this year. The 27-year-old, who has emulated her father’s athletic prowess in horse riding, got hitched at the family’s luxurious £27million villa in Majorca on September 28.

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German media outlets circulated rumours that Schumacher was able to witness the event himself, although stringent rules were ostensibly in place. It’s been said that wedding attendees were instructed to hand over their mobile phones before entering, to ensure Michael would not be captured in any photos.

Nonetheless, speculation concerning Schumacher’s appearance at the wedding has now been cast into doubt by one of the racing legend’s close confidants. Former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans champion Johnny Herbert refuted these claims, dismissing them as ‘fake news’, reports the Mirror.

While speaking with Flashscore, Herbert stated: “It will always be a closed shop. The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter’s wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it.”

Neurosurgeon Jussi Posti has cast doubt on the likelihood of claims surrounding Schumacher’s condition, given the severity it is reputed to be. Despite Schumacher having been transported from his home to their property in Majorca before, Posti pointed out that attending an event would be a considerable challenge.

“If a hospital has been built in his house, with everything medicalised around him, it seems that he has been in hospital most of the time,” Posti explained to Iltalehti. “Based on the information available, I don’t think he leads a very active life. Everything points to him being unwell. As bedridden patients, most people become so frail and stiff that it is no longer possible to get them out of bed after so many years.”

In December 2013, tragedy struck the Schumacher family when Michael suffered a catastrophic ski accident in the French Alps, hitting his head on a rock. Although his helmet absorbed the brunt of the impact, he sustained a severe brain injury and endured two urgent surgeries, followed by a prolonged stint in a medically induced coma.

From the start, the Schumachers have endeavoured to keep the particulars of Michael’s health private, with only sporadic updates shared with the public. In the harrowing moments that followed the accident, it was confirmed that Michael was fighting for his life in a critical condition.

It wasn’t until April 2014 that the family let the world know that he had experienced ‘moments of consciousness and awakening’. By the summer of that year, there was some relief as news emerged that Michael was no longer in a coma and had been transferred to a rehabilitation facility.

In September 2014, the F1 legend was brought back to his family residence along the shores of Lake Geneva, where Corinna, alongside a dedicated team of medical professionals, continued to provide round-the-clock care. With an unwavering commitment to protect her husband’s privacy, Corinna has allowed only a close circle of friends and family to visit, all under strict conditions.

Meanwhile, the finer points of Michael’s health and treatment are kept confidential, known by just an inner sanctum, keeping the matter cloaked in secrecy. Towards the end of 2014, fans received a scarce update on Michael’s situation when former fellow racing driver and friend Philippe Streiff, himself wheelchair-bound due to a racing mishap, spoke out.

He said: “He is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult. He can’t speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems.”

Meanwhile, former Ferrari chief Jean Todt has opened up about Corinna’s unwavering dedication to her husband’s care after his life-changing skiing accident. Speaking to Bild, he said: “I’ve spent a lot of time with Corinna since Michael had his serious skiing accident on December 29, 2013. She is a great woman and runs the family.

“She hadn’t expected that. It happened suddenly and she had no choice. But she does it very well. I trust her, she trusts me. Thanks to the work of his doctors and the cooperation of Corinna, who wanted him to survive, he survived – but with consequences.”

By September 2020, there were reports that Michael was spending increased time in Majorca, the same locale where Gina’s wedding was held. Grim details regarding his current state also came to light.

At the time, Elisabetta Gregoraci, the former wife of ex-F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, told the Spanish media: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.”

Further remarks by Elisabetta during her stint on the Italian Big Brother divulged: “They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house.”

In the 2021 Netflix documentary SCHUMACHER, Corinna highlighted the significance of safeguarding her husband’s privacy, stating: “We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.”

Regrettably, this pledge was jeopardised over the summer when it was revealed that a father and son had blackmailed the family, threatening to leak sensitive images of the F1 icon following the crash in a vile attempt to extort millions of pounds from the Schumachers.

Despite the heart-wrenching challenges they’ve faced, the family has remained strong, sharing touching tributes to Michael and recalling happy memories. In January, Michael’s children Mick and Gina took to social media to celebrate their dad’s birthday with childhood photos.

Mick penned: “Happy birthday to the best dad ever. Love you. Captioning her own nostalgic post, Gina said: ” Captioning her own nostalgic post, Gina said: “Happy Birthday Papa! Throwback to one of many of our adventures.”

Sadly, despite this courageous display, it’s reported that some family ties have become tense. In November last year, Michael’s younger brother Ralf expressed his sorrow at losing touch with Corinna and Michael following the dreadful accident.

In an intimate chat with German publication Bunte, Ralf Schumacher opened up about his family ties, expressing: “When I see his children Gina-Maria and Mick, my heart smiles. If someone in the family is looking for my advice, I’m there. They go their own way.”

He went on to say: “I miss the Michael of the old days. Life is unfair from time to time. Michael was very lucky throughout his life. But then there was this tragic accident.

“Michael wasn’t only my brother. When we were kids, he was also my coach and mentor. He taught me literally everything about kart racing.”

Despite a history of estrangement, 49-year-old Ralf was present at his niece’s wedding. Ralf publicly acknowledged his sexuality in July, a significant step since his 2015 split from ex-Playboy model Cora.

There have been whispers that the Schumachers had reservations about Cora’s ‘potential to be indiscreet’, yet it seems they ‘have no concerns’ regarding Ralf and his new partner Etienne, who were both welcomed to the celebration.