Michael Schumacher, the Formula 1 legend, has reportedly been seen in public for the first time in many years, attending his daughter Gina-Maria's wedding.
The 27-year-old said 'I do' to her new husband Iain Bethke last Saturday in a glitzy ceremony at their family villa in Majorca. German media outlets have reported that Michael was present to witness the joyous occasion.
Schumacher still requires constant medical attention following his life-altering skiing accident over a decade ago. He had a severe crash while skiing in the French Alps, striking his head on a rock.
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Despite surviving the accident, the seven-time F1 champion spent several months in a medically induced coma. Since being allowed to return to his family home on Lake Geneva in September 2014, he has been under the care of his devoted wife Corinna and a team of medical professionals.
Corinna, who is intensely protective of her husband's privacy, has only permitted a select group of trusted friends and family members to visit him. Only a small number of people both inside and outside the Schumacher family are believed to be aware of the specifics of his condition and care, reports the Mirror.
However, Michael's presence at his daughter's wedding could indicate a shift in the family's stance. Although he has been transported from their family home to their villa in Majorca before, this occasion was different as he appeared in front of all the other wedding guests.
Despite the measures taken to maintain the privacy of the ailing F1 legend, all guests were reportedly required to leave their mobile phones at the entrance to prevent any unauthorised photos of the 55-year-old. This first public appearance in front of extended family and others for many years suggests that Corinna's stance may be softening.
Michael's brother Ralf, also a former F1 driver, has largely been kept in the dark about his elder sibling's care. However, he was reportedly among the guests invited to his niece's wedding, indicating a possible reconciliation between the Sky Germany pundit and his sister-in-law.
According to Majorcan news outlet Ultima Hora, the ceremony lasted approximately half an hour, with the newlyweds exchanging vows around 4pm. The villa where the ceremony took place was purchased by Corinna in 2017, who reportedly paid around €32 million to buy the property from Florentino Perez, the long-standing president of Real Madrid.
There could be more family events in the coming months where Michael might make another public appearance. Although no engagement has been officially announced, Danish model Laila Hasanovic hinted that Mick Schumacher, the son of the F1 legend, proposed to her by flaunting a diamond ring on her finger in an Instagram post.
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