The health status of Formula One icon Michael Schumacher has been a closely guarded secret since his life-altering skiing accident.
The ex-racing driver, 55, hasn't been seen in public since the tragic incident over a decade ago, and it's reported that he spends his days in a home-based hospital facility receiving constant care.
His family have kept silent about his condition, with his dedicated wife, Corinna Schumacher, said to be extremely cautious, allowing only trusted visitors. The family is now reportedly battling to keep details about his health confidential amidst an ongoing blackmail trial involving his former bodyguard.
Markus Fritsche, who was employed by Schumacher until around 2021, stands accused of assisting in the blackmail of the family, allegedly using hundreds of private photos, videos and the driver's medical records. He has now appeared in court in Germany alongside Yilmaz Tozturkan, a bouncer, and his son, Daniel Lins, an IT expert, over the alleged extortion scheme, reports the Mirror.
Tozturkan is accused of 'threatening' to release family photos on the dark web unless they paid up £12,000,000 (€15,000,000). Corinna has lodged a request for the case to be heard privately, which means the public could be barred from the hearing if her husband's health is discussed, according to German newspaper Bild.
Fritsche allegedly told Tozturkan over a coffee that he was 'in possession of this material and he asked if we could do anything with it,' MailOnline reports.
Following last month's speculations, it was assumed that the tight circle of secrecy around the F1 legend had eased amid reports he attended his daughter 27-year-old Gina-Maria's nuptials earlier this year.
German media hinted that Schumacher was in attendance at the celebrations, but strict protocols were enforced. Allegedly, phones were banned at the door to prevent photos of Michael from being taken.
Nonetheless, these allegations have been contested by the racer's long-time comrade. Former F1 driver and Le Mans victor Johnny Herbert dismissed the rumours as 'fake news'.
He clarified to Flashscore: "It will always be a closed shop. The most recent rumour was he attended his daughter's wedding. Unfortunately, from what I understand that was all A1 fake news and no truth in it."
Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
In addition, neurosurgeon Jussi Posti cast doubt on these assertions, considering Schumacher's reported health state. According to Posti, Schumacher's presumed condition would make such an appearance highly challenging, despite previous instances of Schumacher being transported from their home to Majorca.
"If a hospital has been built in his house, with everything medicalised around him, it seems that he has been in hospital most of the time," Posti told Iltalehti. "Based on the information available, I don't think he leads a very active life. Everything points to him being unwell. As bedridden patients, most people become so frail and stiff that it is no longer possible to get them out of bed after so many years."
In 2013, the Schumachers' lives were irrevocably altered when Michael suffered a severe brain injury after crashing while skiing in the French Alps.
Despite his helmet absorbing most of the impact, he had to undergo two life-saving operations and spent months in a medically induced coma. From the outset, Michael's family have kept details of his condition private, although they have provided occasional updates.
Initially, it was confirmed that Michael was fighting for his life in critical condition. It wasn't until April 2014 that another statement was released, revealing that Michael had shown 'moments of consciousness and awakening'.
The following summer, it was confirmed that Michael was out of the coma and had been moved to a rehabilitation facility. .
By September 2014, Michael had been relocated to the family home on Lake Geneva, where he received around-the-clock care from Corinna and a team of medical professionals. Corinna has been fiercely protective of her husband's dignity, allowing only a select few trusted friends and relatives to visit under strict conditions.
It's understood that only a handful of people are privy to the details of Michael's condition and care. In late 2014, fans gained a rare glimpse into Michael's condition when fellow former racing driver and close friend Philippe Streiff revealed that Michael was paralysed and relied on a wheelchair.
Philippe, who also uses a wheelchair following a racing accident, shared: "He is getting better but everything is relative. It's very difficult. He can't speak. Like me, he is in a wheelchair paralysed. He has memory problems and speech problems."
Meanwhile, ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt previously spoke of Corinna's unwavering determination in caring for her beloved husband, but noted that his miraculous survival had 'consequences'. 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."
In September 2020, Michael Schumacher's increased presence in Majorca was noted, coinciding with his daughter Gina's wedding.
Further harrowing information about his health situation was then disclosed. Elisabetta Gregoraci, the ex-wife of former F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, told the Spanish media: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are."
While on Italy's Big Brother, she mentioned: "They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house."
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
