Michael Schumacher's family celebrate Christmas and more good news ahead of tragic anniversary
Christmas has been very different for Michael Schumacher and his family since he suffered life-changing injuries 11 years ago
Michael Schumacher's family will celebrate Christmas just days before the 11th anniversary of the Formula 1 legend suffering life-changing injuries.
The German suffered a severe injury to his brain after his head hit a rock when he fell while skiing off-piste in the French Alps on December 29, 2013. He continues to require round-the-clock care from close family members and a team of medical professionals, with his condition kept very private.
Details of it are known only to a few trusted allies as Schumacher's wife Corinna has been fiercely protective of her husband's privacy. But some family members have been more open in sharing glimpses into their own lives on their respective social media channels.
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And they regularly show themselves celebrating Christmas, whether at the family home on the shores of Lake Geneva, their luxury Majorcan villa or their ranch in Texas. Such snaps are most regularly shared by Michael's daughter Gina-Maria, an equestrian star who competes internationally representing Germany.
She has posted photos of her mother posing with a family dog in front of a Christmas tree, as well of snaps of herself with husband Iain Bethke. This year, Gina and Bethke will celebrate the festive season as husband and wife for the first time after they tied the knot earlier this year.
And, earlier this week, she announced that the Schumacher family has another reason to be in celebratory mood with confirmation that they are expecting their first child. Their "little girl" is due to arrive in April 2025, with Michael and Corinna set to become grandparents for the first time.
It is an example of how Schumacher's family is "getting on with their lives" despite the tragic events which changed the F1 legend's own life. Corinna said as much in the 2021 Netflix documentary 'Schumacher' which offered perhaps the most insight into their lives that has ever been allowed.She said: "We are trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he is comfortable.
"We are getting on with our lives - 'private is private', as he always said. It is very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, now we are protecting Michael."
One of those who has been allowed access to Michael is Jean Todt, the former FIA president who worked with him for many years during his hugely successful stint racing for Ferrari. And though the Frenchman has spoken about his old friend many times in the years since his accident, his loyalty to the family has seen him refuse to reveal any private details about his condition or care.
The most he has ever said on the matter was when he told German media: "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."
However, because of the demand for information about Schumacher's wellbeing from millions of fans around the globe, there have been multiple attempts to steal medical records. One took place in 2014 when an employee of Swiss air ambulance firm Rega was arrested over an alleged attempt to sell information to media outlets for a five-figure sum. The accused man was later found hanged in his cell while awaiting a hearing before a judge.
And, earlier this month, the trial of three men accused of a plot to blackmail the family began in Wuppertal, western Germany. Schumacher's former bodyguard Markus Fritsche is accused of taking sensitive images and medical information from the family home after he was told his services would no longer be required.
He is accused of recruiting nightclub bouncer friend Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, and his IT expert son Daniel Lins, 30. The trio is said to have contacted the family and informed them of their intention to share the material on the dark web should they not be paid a ransom of £12m.
But for a family that has been through so much, news of a new arrival due in the Spring will have been very welcome. The Schumachers will spend the festive season caring for Michael as usual while also celebrating the things they can smile about.
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