Michael Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, has lived “like a prisoner” for the last decade while keeping his condition private, according to family friend, Eddie Jordan.
Schumacher, a Ferrari racing legend, has not been seen publicly since he suffered a severe brain injury during a skiing accident in Switzerland in 2013 — and his family has kept his recovery extremely private.
The German racer was placed in a medically induced coma and later moved to the family’s Lake Geneva home, where Corinna cares for him with help from a medical team.
Jordan — a former motorsport team owner, who has a long history with the couple — told OLBG that Corinna refused to let him visit Schumacher in order to “safeguard” the injured pro.
“This was the most horrific situation for [Schumacher’s son] Mick and Corinna,” Jordan said.
“It’s been nearly 10 years now and Corinna has not been able to go to a party, to lunch or this or that, she’s like a prisoner because everyone would want to talk to her about Michael when she doesn’t need reminding of it every minute.”
Corinna “has set out some rules” for those wanting to visit the seven-time Formula One world champion, according to Jordan.
“I know her very well and a long time before Michael Schumacher,” Jordan said. “She’s a lovely girl and I knew her when she married Michael so there is a long history of good relations.
“I made an effort to go see Michael in the early days and Corinna refused, and rightfully so because too many people wanted to go see him.”
Corinna broke down in tears while discussing Schumacher’s condition in a 2022 Netflix documentary about his life.
“Michael is here,” Corinna said. “Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find.
“We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable. And to simply make him feel our family, our bond.
“And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will. We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.”
Corinna explained the importance of keeping her husband’s life private after the accident.
‘”Private is private,’ as he always said,” she recalled.
“It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. ‘Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.”
Former chief executive officer of Ferrari Jean Todt, who had a close relationship with Schumacher, said in May 2021 that he makes two visits a month to see him.
Todt told German publication Bild that Schumacher is “in the best hands” of those caring for him.
“I’m happy that the fans, not only in Germany, think of him so much,” Todt said.
“People ask so much about Michael. The fans should know that he is in the best of hands. In the best situation, he can be and surrounded by people who love him.”
The pair watches Formula One races together when Todt visits, according to the Daily Mail.
The outlet also reported that Schumacher was set to undergo stem cell surgery in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, Todt joined Corinna, and her daughter, Gina, to receive the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia in Cologne on behalf of Schumacher.
Schumacher, considered one of the most successful F1 drivers in racing history, won seven world titles in his career — including five straight from 2000-2004.
His son Mick is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes after being let go from Haas F1 last summer.