Michael Schumacher’s health has remained private since his skiing accident (Image: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Here is a timeline of Michael Schumacher health updates
- 2013: The Accident On December 29, Schumacher suffered a traumatic brain injury after hitting his head on a rock while skiing off-piste in Méribel. Doctors at Grenoble Hospital reported he was in an artificial coma and underwent immediate surgery to reduce intracranial pressure.
- 2014: The Waking Process In early 2014, his management announced that his sedation was being reduced to begin a waking process that would take a long time. By September, it was reported that he had left the hospital to continue his rehabilitation at his family home on the banks of Lake Geneva.
- 2015: The “Still Fighting” Phase Manager Sabine Kehm stated that Michael was making progress considering the severity of his injuries, though she cautioned against high expectations. Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt became a primary source of hope, reporting that Michael was “still fighting” and being cared for by a dedicated medical team.
- 2016: Legal Revelations After a German magazine claimed Michael could walk again, the family’s lawyer, Felix Damm, was forced to testify in court that Michael could not walk. This report underscored the family’s willingness to use legal action to prevent the spread of false medical hope.
- 2017: The “Keep Fighting” Initiative Reports focused on the launch of the “Keep Fighting Foundation,” an initiative started by his family to inspire others facing adversity. His manager reiterated that his health would remain a private matter and no official medical status was shared.
- 2018: Rumours of Relocation Speculation grew that the family was preparing to move Michael to a luxury villa in Mallorca, Spain, for the winter months. While some local officials initially confirmed the move, the family later clarified that he remained based primarily in Switzerland.
- 2019: Stem Cell Treatment French media reported that Michael was admitted to a hospital in Paris for “cutting-edge” stem cell therapy under the care of a world-renowned surgeon. Jean Todt also mentioned in an interview that he had watched Formula 1 races on television with Michael.
- 2020: The Pandemic Period Updates were virtually non-existent during the global pandemic, though Jean Todt confirmed Michael was still following the career of his son, Mick. Reports emphasised that the family’s strict isolation protocols had helped shield Michael from external health risks.
- 2021: The Netflix Documentary The release of Schumacher offered the most intimate look at his life post-accident. In the film, his wife Corinna emotionally stated, “Michael is here, but he’s different,” confirming he continues to undergo therapy at home.
- 2022: Emotional Public Tributes Michael was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia, which Corinna accepted on his behalf in an emotional ceremony in Cologne. Her tearful appearance was widely reported as a sign of the immense, ongoing burden the family carries.
- 2023: The 10th Anniversary A decade on from the accident, media coverage focused on retrospectives of his career and the “wall of silence” surrounding him. His brother, Ralf Schumacher, gave a rare interview admitting he “misses the Michael of the old days” and that life is sometimes unfair.
- 2024: The Daughter’s Wedding Major reports surfaced claiming Michael attended his daughter Gina’s wedding at their villa in Mallorca, which was heavily secured to prevent photos. While some outlets claimed it was his first “public” appearance in a decade, former colleagues like Johnny Herbert later labelled these reports as “fake news”.”
- 2025: The Blackmail Attempt Reports centred on a legal victory for the family after three men were convicted of attempting to blackmail them with stolen personal photos and medical records. The case highlighted the constant security threats the family faces from those trying to breach Michael’s privacy.
- 2026: Mobility Milestones Recent reports in early 2026 suggest that Michael is no longer bed-bound and is able to sit in a wheelchair. Sources close to the family indicate he is now more mobile and is frequently wheeled around the gardens of his estates in Switzerland and Mallorca, marking a significant evolution in his daily routine.
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