What happened to Michael Schumacher and how is his condition now?

Michael Schumacher was involved in a devastating skiing accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since - but was reportedly in attendance at his daughter's wedding

If you were to ask anyone to list their top 10 sports personalities of all time, it's a safe bet that Michael Schumacher would feature in that list. The German F1 driver became synonymous with motor racing and success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, clinching a joint-record seven titles in the sport.

However, his life took a dramatic turn on December 29, 2013, when he was involved in a horrific skiing accident. The then 44 year old sustained life-altering injuries in the incident, which led him to retreat from public life for nearly 11 years - until recently, when he reportedly made an appearance at his daughter Gina Maria's wedding last Saturday.

But before we delve into that, let's first examine the series of events that led to this moment, amidst rumours, speculation, and legal battles conducted against a backdrop of secrecy.

What happened to Schumacher?

The driver retired from the sport for a second time in 2012 and was holidaying in late 2013 with his family - his wife Corinna, son Mick and daughter Gina - in the resort of Meribel in France.

The German, an avid skier who owned a chalet in the area and often spent holidays there, usually coinciding with his birthday on January 3, was involved in an accident on the morning of December 29. Schumacher hit a rock, striking the right side of his head and splitting his helmet in two, reports Wales Online.

Initially conscious after the accident, he was airlifted to Moutiers hospital, before being transferred to a specialist unit in Grenoble.

He was in a coma upon arrival and needed immediate surgery to alleviate brain swelling. Neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes told media during a press briefing: "He didn't respond to questions after the accident. He didn't have a normal neurological reaction."

The global community sent their best wishes to the star.

In the weeks that followed, the media highly speculated about his condition, with one outlet controversially attempting to sneak into Schumacher's room by disguising a reporter as a priest.

There was negligible improvement in the initial weeks, but April 2014 marked the first significant update when Sabine Kehm, Schumacher's long-standing media representative, announced he was showing moments of "consciousness and awakening". In September 2014, Schumacher was transferred home to Switzerland to advance his recovery.

"Michael has left the CHU Grenoble [hospital] to continue his long phase of rehabilitation. He is not in a coma anymore," confirmed Kehm.

Following another invasive breach of the Schumacher family's privacy, Michael's wife declared the alteration of their residence to include a top-notch medical facility managed by a dedicated team of healthcare specialists, enabling him to pursue recuperation on the shores of Lake Geneva. Legal proceedings were initiated against the intrusion.

Ever since the accident, the state of Schumacher's health has been jealously guarded, with Corinna adamant about preserving his privacy. The family has previously taken legal steps; they pursued a case against the German publication Bunte in 2016 after it published claims that Schumacher could walk and raise an arm.

"Unfortunately, we are forced by a recent press report to clarify that the assertion that Michael could move again is not true," stated Kehm, underscoring the gravity of his condition and the significance of his privacy. Misinformation not only invades privacy but also generates baseless optimism for those closely following his saga.

On the occasion of Schumacher’s 50th birthday in 2019, a public statement was issued by the family to inform supporters about his condition: "We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation," the message expressed. It continued, affirming the quality of his care: "You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him."

The family pleaded for understanding over their decision to maintain privacy on health matters, adding, "At the same time, we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019."

What's been said recently?

Jean Todt, his former Ferrari boss and then-FIA president, who remains close to the family since the accident, told L'Equipe: "[He] is simply not the Michael he used to be. He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him."

"His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That's all there is to say. Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1."

In the 2021 Netflix documentary titled 'Schumacher', his family offered a rare glimpse into his health while still maintaining their privacy. "Michael is here," Corinna said.

"Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find. We're together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond."

"And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will. 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."

Mick Schumacher, now also an F1 driver, expressed his admiration for his father: "I just have huge respect for dad. I have always had that. He just has this presence. When he walks into a room, everyone goes quiet. That's how I remember it."

"Every time I look at him, I tell myself, 'Yes that's how I want to be.' Such strength, such total peace of mind. I think Dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way. Simply because we speak a similar language, the language of motorsport. And that we would have so much more to talk about."

"That's where my head is most of the time. Thinking that it would be cool. That would be it. I would give up everything just for that."

Last Saturday, it was reported that Schumacher attended his daughter Gina's wedding in Spain. The 27 year old tied the knot with husband Iain Bethke at the family's villa in Majorca.

German media reported that her father was there to witness the celebrations at the lavish ceremony, appearing in front of the other wedding guests. However, it was also reported that guests at the wedding were required to leave their mobile phones at the door to prevent any unauthorised photos of Schumacher being taken.