Gina-Maria Schumacher pays tribute to her father on his birthday
Michael Schumacher’s daughter Gina-Maria honoured the Formula One champion as he marked his 57th birthday on Saturday, reports BritPanorama. The 28-year-old shared a heartfelt photograph from her childhood on Instagram, capturing a moment with her younger brother, Mick, alongside their parents and family dogs.
In her post, she accompanied the image with the message: “The best forever. Happy birthday, Dad!” enhanced by a red heart emoji. She also featured the tribute in her Instagram Story, reiterating her emotional sentiment with another heart emoji.
This public acknowledgment comes over 12 years after the seven-time world champion suffered a severe skiing accident, which resulted in his withdrawal from public life. In December 2013, Schumacher veered off-piste while skiing in the French Alps, colliding with a rock despite wearing a helmet. He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital and remained in a medically induced coma for several months before being moved to his family’s residence near Lake Geneva in September 2014.
Currently, Michael Schumacher requires continuous medical supervision, with reports indicating that up to 15 caregivers provide round-the-clock support. His family remains dedicated to preserving his privacy during his recovery. In a 2021 documentary, his wife Corinna stated: “We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.” This sentiment has been echoed by his manager, Sabine Kehm, who asserted that Schumacher’s health is not a public issue, and therefore, no comments will be made in that regard.
Despite the family’s efforts to keep information confidential, they have faced numerous attempts to leak details about Schumacher’s condition. This culminated in a blackmail case involving three men, including Schumacher’s former bodyguard, who were accused of stealing sensitive materials and attempting to extort the family. The fallout included a conviction that saw one individual receiving a three-year prison sentence, though he remains out on bail.
In a personal development, Gina-Maria married her long-term partner, Iain Bethke, in September 2024, at the family villa in Majorca, purchased for £27 million in 2017. The couple welcomed a daughter, Millie, last year, sharing a joy-filled announcement about their expanding family. Now primarily residing in the United States, Gina-Maria actively competes and breeds horses at the family ranch in Texas, where she has achieved recognition in western riding.
This mixture of family milestones against the backdrop of her father’s enduring legacy highlights the resilience of the Schumacher family amid ongoing challenges. Such tributes remind us of the personal side of sports icons, revealing how their struggles and victories can ripple through the lives of those closest to them.
