Michael Schumacher survived horror ski crash because his wife Corinna ‘willed him to survive’, says F1 legend’s pal
EX-FERRARI team boss Jean Todt said Michael Schumacher’s devoted wife has "willed him to survive" after his 2013 skiing accident.
Schumacher, 52, has not been seen in public after suffering a near-fatal brain injury when skiing off-piste in the resort of Meribel in the French Alps.
Since his horrific accident, the F1 legend's state of health has been shrouded in secrecy.
But Todt, 75, said Schumacher only survived thanks to the work of the doctors and Corinna, 52, who "wanted him to survive".
He told : “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."
He added: "Thanks to the work of his doctors and the cooperation of Corinna, who wanted him to survive, he survived — but with consequences.
"And right now you are fighting the consequences. We hope that things will slowly but surely improve."
Schumacher was reportedly last year set to undergo a new stem cell operation to "regenerate his nervous system" as he continues to battle back from a catastrophic head injury.
But the surgery was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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According to Dr Nicola Acciari, a top neurosurgeon, Schumacher is suffering from osteoporosis and muscle atrophy caused by his lack of movement since his accident.
He said: "The goal is to regenerate Michael's nervous system."
In 2019 the family released an update on his 50th birthday assuring his millions of fans they were doing “everything humanly possible” to help him recover.
Former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa admitted Schumacher was in a "difficult place".
He said: "The main thing about all this is that we know his situation is not easy. He is in a difficult phase but we need to respect him and the family."
The main thing about all this is that we know his situation is not easy
Former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa
A documentary about Schumacher featuring never-before-seen private videos and interviews with family members is set to air on on September 15.
Approved by his family, “Schumacher” features exclusive interviews with Corinna and Michael’s two children Gina and Mick plus his brother Ralf.
The portrait of the racing legend is “the only film supported by his family”, the platform said in a press release.
Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm said the film as the '”amily's gift to their beloved husband and father”.
