Michael Schumacher’s Wife Has Been ‘Like a Prisoner’ for 10 Years as She Keeps His Condition Secret — Her Life Now
- An insider gave his view on how Corinna Schumacher is faring since her husband's accident.
- The Schumacher family spoke about the racer in a 2021 film.
Michael Schumacher poses with his wife Corinna Schumacher, in the winter resort of Madonna di Campiglio, in the Dolomites area, Northern Italy, January 11, 2005. | Source: Getty Images
Corinna Schumacher and her family have closed ranks in the ten years since the family patriarch, Michael Schumacher, suffered injuries in a ski accident in the Alps in April 2013.
Family friend Eddie Jordan understood that Corinna would not permit him to visit the seven-time world champion. The family told him that though he has a long history with the racer, they needed privacy.
Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher (R) hugs Corinna Schumacher (L) in the pits to celebrate his victory in the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix as well as his 2000 Formula One World Championship title, after the race in Suzuka, on October 8, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
"Privacy is such a vital aspect to sport, business, and your personal life," the former Formula One team owner reflected as he spoke on the strict rules Corinna set to "safeguard" Michael. "This was the most horrific situation for Mick and Corinna," he said:
"It's been nearly ten years now, and Corinna has not been able to go to a party, to lunch, or this or that; she's like a prisoner because everyone would want to talk to her about Michael when she doesn't need reminding of it every minute."
He theorized that Mick Schumacher would be a much better driver if he did not have the "pressure of his father looming over him." Jordan does not reach out to him often because he respects the young driver's privacy.
(L-R) Hendrik Wüst, CDU premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Corinna Schumacher, and her daughter Gina Schumacher, Jean Todt and Michael's father Rolf Schumacher on July 20, 2002, in Cologne, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
This week, a close friend of the former Ferrari driver, sports reporter Roger Benoit, quoted Mick when asked about Michael's condition, "'I would give anything to talk to Dad,'" he added that the sentence encapsulated the situation well:
"A case without hope."
Michael suffered a catastrophic brain injury and was induced in a coma for six months. "People ask so much about Michael," former Ferrari CFO Jean Todt said in 2021. "The fans should know that he is in the best of hands."
Corinna Schumacher Spoke out for the First Time since the Accident in 2021
"Michael is here," a tearful Corinna said in a rare interview. "Different but here. He still shows me how strong he is every day." In the 2021 Netflix documentary "Schumacher," she gives insight into the man away from his ruthless racing reputation.
She had always thought he had "a few guardian angels" keeping an eye on him as he safely made it through his races. Corinna does not blame God for the tragedy, saying it was just really bad luck that could have fallen on anyone.
The Schumacher family. | Source: Youtube/@Netflix
Since he was released from the hospital, Schumacher has been recuperating in their home in Lake Geneva, Switzerland. "We are getting on with our lives, 'private is private' as he always said," Corinna divulged:
"It's 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."
Close-up view of the pendant bearing the name of his wife, Corinna Schumacher, worn by German racing driver Michael Schumacher ahead of the German Grand Prix, held at Hockenheimring, in Hockenheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, August 2, 1998. | Source: Getty Images
Footage of the couple's 1995 wedding was used in the film directed by Hanns-Bruno Kammertöns, Vanessa Nöcker, and Michael Welch. Their two children, Gina Schumacher and Mick, also spoke to the filmmakers.
Michael Schumacher with Corinna Betsch on their wedding day in Kerpen, on August 1, 1995. | Source: Getty Images
Speaking in German, Gina, the eldest, said she was glad he was her dad. Mick noted last year that he and Schumacher would have understood each other "in a different way now." The 24-year-old is a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren.