Who is Michael Schumacher's daughter and what has she said about his injuries

Michael Schumacher reportedly made an ultra-rare appearance at his daughter Gina’s wedding over the weekend, giving hope to his loyal fans.

The Formula 1 legend, who was crowned world champion a staggering seven times, is regarded as one of the greatest of all time, but his life was changed following a devastating accident 11 years ago. In December 2013, Michael suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling and hitting a rock while skiing in the the French Alps resort of Mirabel, and was placed in a medically-induced coma. Little to no information has been released on his condition over the years, but it was confirmed he had been transferred to his home in Switzerland six months after the accident.

The racing icon shares two children with wife Corinna - daughter Gina, 27, and son Mick, 25 - and his loyal fans were delighted when it was confirmed Gina had tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke. The loved-up couple wed in a private ceremony at the family’s estate in Mallorca, and security measures were ramped up to ensure that the special day remained for family and close friends only.

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Many fans suggested that the tight security measures were put in place as Michael was in attendance to see his daughter get married, and the family have been fiercely protective of the Formula 1 champion since his accident in 2013. Guests were reportedly asked to surrender their phones upon arrival, and only pictures taken by the couple’s official photographer were allowed to be released.

While it’s not known if Michael walked his daughter down the aisle, as is tradition, fans of the Ferrari legend were delighted to discover he’d been at the wedding to see Gina get married. The father-daughter duo have had a close relationship over the years, and Gina briefly followed in her father’s footsteps when she raced in competitive karting for one season. However, she confessed she “preferred the horses” in an interview with German broadcaster NDR, and began a career in Western horse riding.

She won a gold medal at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland back in August 2017, and met her now-husband Iain through her love of horses. The German showjumper has also been spotted cheering on Gina during competitions, and last competed in 2019.

The Schumacher family have protected Michael from scrutiny since his accident, and in March 2018, they issued an emotional statement as they thanked fans for their unwavering support. They insisted that he was “not bed-ridden or surviving on tubes”, and appreciated that many had supported their stance that “his situation is not to be shared in the public eye”.

Gina has also refrained from speaking publicly about her father's condition, but in 2017, she shared an inspirational message that many speculated was about her beloved father. “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved #keepfighting,” she captioned a snap of her on a horse on Instagram. And in January 2022, she posted a throwback picture of her father as she wished him a happy birthday. “Happy B-Day to the best Dad #keepfighting,” Gina wrote.

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