What happened to Michael Schumacher and how is he doing now?
MICHAEL Schumacher shocked the world of Formula One when he was involved in a devastating accident in 2013.
But fans are left yearning nine years on wondering what is the Ferrari ace doing now and his current health state.
What happened to Michael Schumacher?
Schumacher suffered a horrific ski crash while with his son Mick, who was 14 at the time, on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps on December 29, 2013.
He fell and hit his head on a rock while crossing an off-piste area - suffering a serious head injury despite wearing a ski helmet.
Doctors said he would most likely have died had he not been wearing the safety gear, and the world champ was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital, where he underwent two operations.
He was put into a medically induced coma after suffering what was described as a "traumatic brain injury".
The former Ferrari and Mercedes driver was brought out of the coma in June 2014 and was released to go and rehabilitate at his home in Gland, Switzerland.
His tragic ski accident came just over a year after he retired from F1 in 2012.
He mounted a brief comeback for three seasons with the new Mercedes team after initially hanging up his helmet in 2006.
Since then, information on his treatment and his condition has been patchy despite the intense interest from fans and the press - this is due to Schumacher choosing to address fans via his family, primarily his wife Corinna, who provides the most frequent updates.
But in September 2021, his family broke their eight-year silence on the seven-time world champion's condition in a Netflix documentary examining his illustrious career.
The production delved deeper than ever before into the life of the racing legend, and features interviews with his family and racing royalty including Jean Todt, Bernie Ecclestone, Sebastian Vettel, Mika Häkkinen, Damon Hill, Flavio Briatore and David Coulthard.
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Where is Michael Schumacher now?
Michael Schumacher celebrated his 54th birthday on January 3, 2023, staying as private as he has since his accident.
He is currently continuing his rehabilitation at his family home in Gland,Switzerland - where the Schumacer family moved to during Michael's recovery.
His wife Corinna explained in the Netflix interview: "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 make him feel our family, our bond, And no matter, I will do everything I can. We all will."
How is Michael Schumacher doing now?
Here's what happened to the Formula One ace ever since his horror accident.
December 2013 - After his crash, Schumacher is rushed to Grenoble Hospital where he undergoes two surgeries and is placed into a coma.
Professor Jean-Francois Payen describes his condition as "extremely serious" and says the F1 champ underwent a brain scan.
Payen said: "He is in a critical condition and his condition is said to be extremely serious. He is in intensive care."
April 2014 - Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm tells the press that the racer is showing "moments of consciousness" as he emerged from his coma.
She added he was making "progress" - but noted Schumacher was facing a "long difficult fight" on the road to recovery.
Kehm also insisted the family did not intend to give a running commentary on his condition.
June 2014 - Schumacher is reported to have regained consciousness fully and is transferred to the University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland.
September 2014 - Schumacher leaves the Swiss hospital and returns to his family home in Gland on the shores of Lake Geneva to continue his recovery.
His manager Kehm again insists that he has made "progress" but a "long and difficult road" remains ahead for the F1 star.
November 2014 - Former racing driver Philippe Streiff, a friend of Schumacher, claims the seven-time champion cannot speak, is paralysed, and is using a wheelchair.
The former F1 driver told French radio: "He is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult."
May 2015 - Kehm delivers a video message in the first official update on his condition for months as part of a launch event for a watch that Schumacher helped design.
She said: "We are happy to say still he does improvement and I say this always considering the severeness of the injury he had.
"But of course it will take a very long time for everybody involved to fight, and we are happy to take this fight."
February 2016 - Cryptic comments by Schumacher's former Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo spark further speculation about the driver's health.
He told reporters: "I have news and unfortunately it is not good.
"Life is strange.
"He was a fantastic driver and only had one accident with Ferrari in 1999."
Schumacher's team decline to comment on his remarks.
September 2016 - Schumacher's lawyer Felix Damm tells a German court that his client "cannot walk" as part of a lawsuit against magazine Die Bunte.
He said: "Michael cannot even stand with the help of his special therapists.
"I cannot make any other comments about Michael's health situation."
Die Bunte had claimed Schumacher was able to take steps and raise an arm months previously, which was rebutted by Kehm.
August 2018 - French magazine Paris March reported that "close relatives" told them the F1 champ remains in a wheelchair.
It was claimed that Schumacher cries when he is rolled to look at the panoramic landscapes around his home.
Previous reports had also claimed the racer cried when he heard his children's voices, or saw his wife Corinna.
February 2019 - Schumacher is reported to have spent the winter at his family's luxury £26million Majorca villa with round-the-clock carers.
Neighbours told Bunte they saw the German racing legend arrive by dark blue helicopter at Port d’Andratx on the Spanish island.
The family purchased the property in 2018 - and it reportedly has two swimming pools, a large manicured garden, helipad and stunning sea views.
July 2019 - F1 boss Jean Todt offered one of the most detailed health updates in years while speaking to Radio Monte-Carlo.
He revealed he visits Schumacher and the duo have even watched F1 races together on television.
The former Ferrari boss insisted that he is making "good progress" - but added he has to be "careful" with his statements.
September 2019 - Le Parisien reported that Schumacher had been admitted to the Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou in Paris to undergo stem cell treatment.
It is claimed he was under the care of pioneering surgeon Philippe Menasché.
Pictures emerge allegedly showing a private ambulance that had brought Schumacher to the hospital, and medical staff were quoted as saying he was "conscious".
June 2020 - Schumacher's son Mick released an open letter about his father as he looked destined to follow him into F1 as he impressed while racing in F2.
While not giving any updates on his health, Mick wrote: "He is always my father in the first place."
He added: "I don't take the lessons he passed on to me as a matter of course.
"One of these lessons is to remain constant, never to be too euphoric or too depressed."
June 2020 - Schumacher is reported to have had further stem cell treatments delayed due to the Covid pandemic.
It is also claimed the F1 driver was suffering muscle atrophy and osteoporosis, a bone wasting disease, from being confined to bed for six years.
Dr Nicola Acciari said: "The goal is to regenerate Michael’s nervous system."
November 2020 - F1 boss Todt again speaks out on Schumacher and says he visits him regularly, during which the two watch TV together.
Todt told De Telegraaf newspaper: "His fight continues, along with his family and doctors.”
However, he declines to comment when asked if Schumacher is aware of his son's success - with the younger racer winning the 2020 F2 title and earning a seat in F1 with Haas.
April 2021 - Michael's wife Corrina reportedly puts their Lake Geneva home up for sale for £5million.
Bodyguards and domestic workers were staying at the home until recently with some horses having grazed the pastures only a few months ago.
The couple had bought the "Sur le Moulin" estate in 2002 when Michael was about to win his fifth F1 world title in 2002 for £3million.
August 2021 - F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone makes a promising comment that Michael could one day answer questions himself.
He said: "He is not with us at the moment.
"But when he gets better, he’ll answer all the questions."
September 2021 - Ahead of the release of Netflix documentary Schumacher, it was revealed that Michael had raised concerns about the snow conditions in the Alps before his tragic accident.
Breaking her solemn eight-year silence, his wife Corrina explained: "Shortly before it happened in Meribel, he said to me, 'The snow isn't optimal. We could fly to Dubai and go skydiving there'.''
She said as he had "always made it through his races safely" she was "certain he had a few guardian angels that were keeping an eye out for him".
The 53-year-old said of his condition: "'Everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here - different, but here. He still shows me how strong he is every day."
November, 2021 - Motor racing executive and family friend Jean Todt offered an update on his friend in an interview with having visited him the month before.
He said: "I can understand why his family and friends are protecting him because we should leave him in peace.
"Michael is fighting, he is fighting, and we can only hope that he will improve.
"I am happy that his son Mick is in Formula One. He is doing well.
"He could have a more competitive car but I am pleased he has this passion.
"I am happy that Gina-Maria (Michael's daughter) has found her passion in horses."
January 2022 - Michael's son Mick marked his dad's 53rd birthday by paying tribute in an emotional social media post.
He wrote on Instagram: "Happy birthday, dad. Days like these were important to my growing passion for motorsport, and still affects it to this day.
"I am grateful for all the experiences you have given me and I’m excited to be making new ones in the future."
July 2022 - Michael's wife Corinna and his daughter Gina-Maria accepted the award, State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalis, in his honour together with Jean Todt.
A tribute was paid to Michael Schumacher which left Corinna intears, which led to Jean telling Bild: "That's just natural.
"No one planned it to be so emotional that tears were shed by Corinna, but sometimes it's good to not always control yourself."
He then also tweeted: "An emotional ceremony in Cologne to honour Michael Schumacher's outstanding career and charitable streak with Corinna, Gina, Mick Schumacher and Henrik Wust.
"I met Michael 30 years ago, with Ferrari, living his passion and bringing joy to millions of us!"
It was later announced that his 1998 Ferrari F300 F1 car is going for sale at auction in August with RM Sotheby's.
The auction will be starting at nearly £7million.
Michael had four wins in 1998 in this car - Britain, Italy, France and Canada - and never lost a race in it, which makes it the most successful F1 car in history.
Its authenticity is preserved thanks to the fact that it was never refurbished after it left the race track.
It was bought in 1999 by another owner, directly from Ferrari, and he kept it for 23 years.
September 2022 - Former F1 boss Jean Todt has assured Michael Schumacher's fans that he is "in good hands" as he visits Michael three times a week.
Todt said: "As long as I am in this world, I will always visit them.
"Sometimes we see each other three times a week, sometimes not for a whole month.
"They are my friends and we are in constant contact. Whatever I can do for the Schumacher family, I will do."
The former F1 boss also said that Schumacher is still alive today thanks to his wife, Corinna.
He told Bild: "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.
"And right now you are fighting the consequences. We hope that things will slowly but surely improve."
December 2022 - A Christmas photo by Mick offered no clues on the F1 racing legend's health following claims he is being cared for at a £27million villa in Majorca.
The family home for years has been a lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland.
But it's reported they have been preparing for a "new life" in Majorca.
Stricken Michael will reportedly spend the winter months at a £30million villa on the Spanish holiday island.
The luxurious property has reportedly been expanded and adapted to allow a team of 15 doctors and nurses to provide round-the-clock care costing £120,000 a week.
April 2023 - German tabloid magazine Die Aktuelle raised hopes and eyebrows when it published what it called "the first interview" with Schumacher, only to later reveal it was made entirely with artificial intelligence.
The controversial article featured quotes purportedly from the German athlete, discussing his medical condition and life after his skiing accident — the kind of information that his family has fought to keep private for nearly a decade.
Die Aktuelle thad then sacked the editor and apologised to the family of the Formula One legend, reports.
July 2023 - Mick Schumacher paid an emotional tribute to his father as he marked a major career milestone.
The Mercedes reserve driver wore his legendary dad's overalls and race helmet at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Mick also got behind the wheel of his dad's iconic F1 car, the Mercedes W02.
"Knowing that he raced this car makes it extra special, and there will be many emotions coming with it," he said.
"I have been lucky enough to drive one of his Benetton cars and some of the Ferraris he raced. But this will be the first time behind the wheel of a Mercedes he drove. I am sure I will get out of it with a big smile on my face."
What has Michael Schumacher's family said?
Schumacher's family - his wife Corinna and their children Mick & Gina-Maria - have fiercely defended their privacy amid the intense interest over his health.
The family all live together at home to care for him and "do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he's comfortable".
Corinna explained in the Schumacher documentary: "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.";
In the Netflix documentary, Corinna said she has never blamed God for her husband's battle, saying it was "just really bad luck - all the bad luck anyone could ever have in their life".
After following in his father's footsteps, in the new documentary, 24-year-old Mick touchingly told how he would "give up everything" to chat with his dad about their shared motorsport success.
He said: "Since the accident, of course, these experiences, these moments that I believe many people have with their parents, are no longer present or to a lesser extent.
"And in my view, that is a little unfair.
"I think me and dad, we would understand each other in a different way now.
";Simply because we speak a similar language – the language of motor sport – and that we would have a lot more to talk about.
"And that is where my head is most of the time. Thinking that would be so cool … I would give up everything just for that."
In an interview with the in March 2022, he also addressed the perceived burden of being Michael's son.
He said: “I don’t feel that pressure because I don’t pay attention to it, I just blend it out.
“I can create my own legacy while still looking back at what my dad did.
"It’s nice for me to be able to remind people of what my dad did and at the same time show what can I do.”
Last year, whilst accepting the prestigious State Prize of North-Rhine-Westphalia in recognition of the driver's trailblazing career, tearful wife Corrina gave fans an update.
She said:"I miss Michael every day. But it's not just me who misses him. It's the children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here.
"Different, but he's here and that gives us strength, I find.
"We try to carry on a family as Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives. 'Private is private', as he always said.''