Gina-Maria Schumacher has shared a poignant and rare family photograph to honour her father, Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, on what would have been his 57th birthday. The tribute comes just over twelve years after the horrific skiing accident that led to his withdrawal from public life.
A Family's Private Battle
Since leaving hospital in September 2014 after being gradually brought out of a medically induced coma, details of Schumacher's condition and recovery have been fiercely guarded by his family. His wife Corinna, son Mick, and daughter Gina-Maria have maintained a strict code of privacy, shielding the seven-time world champion from the public eye.
While day-to-day updates are scarce, his children have frequently used social media to show he is never far from their thoughts. For his birthday on January 3, equestrian Gina-Maria, 28, posted a sweet childhood snapshot featuring her father, brother Mick, and mother Corinna.
The photo was captioned: 'The best forever. Happy birthday, Dad!' alongside a red heart emoji. She also shared the post to her Instagram Story with another solitary heart symbol.
Life in Texas and a New Addition
Now based primarily in the United States, Gina-Maria competes and breeds horses at the family ranch in Gordonville, Texas. Last year marked a joyful new chapter for her, as she and her husband Iain Bethke welcomed their first child, a daughter named Millie, born on March 29.
The couple, who married in September 2024 at the Schumacher family's £27 million luxury villa in Majorca, announced the birth on Instagram, writing: 'Welcome to the world, Millie... We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives.'
Strict Rules and Legal Battles for Privacy
The birthday post emerged days after a close friend from Schumacher's racing career shed light on the extreme measures taken to protect his privacy. Former Red Bull Head of Operations Richard Hopkins explained last week that only a very small, trusted circle of people are permitted to visit.
'I think (the arrangement is) fairly clear. There are only two, three, four people that we know of,' Hopkins stated, while acknowledging there may be other private friends outside the racing world. He denied claims of extreme daily security but confirmed, 'there are fairly strict rules, and we don't talk about those rules.'
This vigilance stems from multiple attempts to breach the family's privacy. The Schumachers were victims of a blackmail plot in 2025, where stolen hard drives containing confidential pictures, videos, and medical records were used in an attempt to extort them.
Three men, including Schumacher's former bodyguard Markus Fritsche, were put on trial. In February, nightclub bouncer Yilmaz Tozturkan was sentenced to three years in prison but is free on €10,000 bail. His IT expert son, Daniel Lins, received a six-month suspended sentence, and Fritsche, who denied involvement, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Through it all, the Schumacher family remains a close-knit unit, united in their mission to guard the legacy and dignity of one of sport's greatest icons.
