Michael Schumacher ‘seen’ in public for first time in 11 years
Michael Schumacher’s family has reportedly made the decision to temporarily end his decade of living hidden away from the word.
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Michael Schumacher has reportedly been seen in public for the first time in 11 years.
The Formula 1 icon was reportedly present when daughter Gina married partner Iain Bethke over the weekend in Majorca.
The special day was hosted on the sun-soaked Spanish island at the luxury abode Schumacher’s wife Corinna is understood to have bought in 2017 from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
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The remote setting was the stuff of fairy tales, but the location also acted as the perfect private location that allowed the seven-time world champion to watch the nuptials take place.
According to reports, to mark the special day, Schumacher’s family made the decision to temporarily end his decade of living hidden away from the word.
The German suffered a serious head injury after a skiing accident in December, 2013, in the French Alps, and his family has kept his condition closely guarded ever since.
Some light has recently been shed on the star’s health, following years of mystery, with former teammate Johnny Herbert dropping a big rumour in January to suggest Schumacher is capable of “sitting at the dinner table”.
It’s why being present at Gina’s wedding was such a special moment for the family — and why it was prepared to take such a massive step by allowing extended friends and family to be there alongside the legendary driver.
Schumacher has reportedly spent much of his recent life at the $50 million Spanish villa, which is believed to have been adapted allowing a team of doctors and nurses to provide round-the-clock care, The Sun reports.
In a happy development for the Schumachers, Gina — wearing a white dress with Boho-style tattoo lace — posted a snap to her Instagram overnight, cuddling up to her new husband in a black pinstripe suit.
She wrote: “Forever yes to you, yes to forever” followed by a heart emoji.
The wedding ceremony at the Port d’Andratx villa lasted around half an hour, Majorcan news outlet Ultima Hora reported.
It’s said to have been followed by a banquet and party, including a performance by a country music band.
Among the guest list was Michael’s brother Ralf and his partner Etienne Bosquet-Cassagne, who also attended a pre-party at upmarket Mhares Sea Club on Saturday.
Before the glamorous wedding, it has been widely reported only three close family members and a team of medics have previously had access to the 55-year-old.
The Daily Mail has reported guests at the wedding were required to leave their phones at the front door upon arrival at the estate as one of the measures used to protect Michael’s privacy.
The family also reportedly looked at hiring a large security team to keep photographers away.
The success of the event has reportedly raised hopes the family will consider future opportunities for the Ferrari icon to be seen in public.
The most obvious special day for the family being speculated is the potential wedding of Schumacher’s son Mick.
Mick’s partner, 23-year-old Danish model Laila Hasanovic, recently hinted the couple may be engaged.
The pair have been together for two years and it was reported in January Hasanovic had been given approval to visit the Formula 1 legend.
The lovers regularly share loved-up photos to their millions of followers on social media as Mick, 24, embarks on a new career in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with Alpine.
German news outlet Bild first reported the family are “smitten” with the model, who is regularly included in their family plans and is one of the few non-blood relations who has been allowed to visit Michael.
Mick also congratulated his sister Gina on her wedding via Instagram, writing: “I’m so happy for you two.”
In September 2020 it was claimed Schumacher was spending time at the villa in Majorca.
Spanish press said he had been moved from his Swiss home to the exclusive property, which is located on the upmarket estate of Las Brisas near Andratx in the south-west of Majorca.
The revelation came after ex-Formula 1 team boss Flavio Briatore’s ex-wife Elisabetta Gregoraci claimed: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes.
“Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.”
Speaking on the Italian version of Big Brother, the brunette added: “They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house.”
Bild first linked the F1 legend to Florentino Perez’s Majorca mansion in July 2018, saying Corinna snapped it up for $50 million so she could spend holidays there with family and friends.
The house was bought by building magnate Perez in 2005 but he put it up for sale in 2017 after the death of his wife Mari Angeles Sandoval.
The villa is part of a 15,000 square metre estate which boasts two swimming pools, a helipad, a gym and a huge palm-tree-fringed garden.
Updates on the racing legend’s health have been few and far between.
Gina and her brother Mick wished their dad happy birthday with touching messages when he turned 55.
Gina wrote on Instagram: “Happy Birthday Papa! throwback to one of many of our adventures.”
The post was accompanied by a picture of her and her brother as kids with the F1 star.
Mick, now 25, wrote: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever. Love you!”
The message showed a photo of them both wearing helmets, with a young Mick smiling and holding his thumb up as Michael looked lovingly towards him.
Schumacher’s ex-Formula One team Mercedes also posted a birthday message urging him to “keep fighting”.
Michael’s younger brother Ralf, who was also an F1 driver, told Bild at the end of last year: “Nothing is like before.”
He added: “I miss my Michael from back then. Life is sometimes unfair. Michael had been lucky many times in his life, but then the tragic accident happened.
“Fortunately, modern medicine has made it possible to do some things.”
His wife Corinna offered a rare insight on her husband’s state in a Netflix documentary in 2021.
She said “I miss Michael every day.
“But it is 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. We’re together. We live together at home.”
Originally published as Michael Schumacher ‘seen’ in public for first time in 11 years
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