Michael Schumacher’s wife has lived “like a prisoner”, avoiding lunches and parties, to keep her condition a secret, according to Eddie Jordan.
Schumacher suffered a skiing accident in December 2013 and was placed in a medically induced coma. Later, in September 2014, he was transferred to the family home in Lake Geneva, where a team of medical personnel now supports his wife Corinna in caring for him.
Jordan, who is loosely related to the Ferrari icon, revealed last year that his plans to visit the seven-time Formula One world champion were vetoed by Schumacher’s family.
“This was the most horrible situation for Mick and Corinna,” Jordan said. OLBG .
‘It’s been almost ten years and Corinna hasn’t been able to go to a party or lunch or this or that, she’s like a prisoner because everyone would want to tell her about Michael when she doesn’t need to be reminded every minute.’
Eddie Jordan (right) claims Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna (left) lives “like a prisoner” as she tries to keep her husband’s condition private following a 2013 skiing accident
Corinna (left) and Michael Schumacher (right, pictured together while skiing in 2005)
Schumacher once described his wife, 54, as his ‘guardian angel’ and she has taken full control to block out any noise surrounding his condition.
Jordan gave Schumacher his F1 break in 1991 with the Jordan Grand Prix, but he has not been granted a visit, with access to the former Ferrari star sheltered by his wife.
Corinna has avoided speaking publicly about her husband, but she shed some light on his struggles in a documentary about his life that aired in 2022.
‘Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and I think that gives us strength,” Corinna said.
‘We are together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to improve Michael and make sure he is comfortable. And simply make him feel our family, our bond.
And whatever happens, I’ll do everything I can. We all will. We are trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and he still does. And we go on with our lives.
‘”Private is private”, as he always said. It is very important to me that you can continue to enjoy your private life as much as possible.
“Michael always protected us, and now we’re protecting Michael.”
One of the few granted visits to Schumacher has been former FIA president Jean Todt, who revealed in May 2021 that he makes two visits a month to see the German.
In a rare interview for a documentary about Michael’s life, Corinna opened up about her situation.
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn’t been in the public eye since he suffered a skiing accident in December 2013; he is now cared for by medical staff and his wife Corinna at home.
In a rare discussion of Schumacher, Todt said the German is “in the best of hands” with the medical team he has working at home.
Todt told the German publication image: ‘I’m happy that the fans, not only in Germany, think so much of him.
‘People ask a lot about Michael.
The fans must know that he is in the best hands.
“In the best situation he can be in and surrounded by people who love him.”
Schumacher and Todt have long been close after enjoying a successful relationship at Ferrari, where the German driver won an unprecedented five consecutive world titles between 2000 and 2004.
It has been revealed that the pair watch Formula One races together when Todt visits them.
Last year, Todt joined Corinna and her daughter, Gina, in collecting the North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize in Cologne on Schumacher’s behalf.
Schumacher won five consecutive F1 world titles at Ferrari with Jean Todt between 2000 and 2004
It is the highest civilian honor available to those born within the region and can be awarded to anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to the world.
The ceremony took place in Cologne, about six kilometers from Hurth, where Schumacher and his brother Ralf were born.
The Premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wust, presented the award to the sobbing Mrs. Schumacher and said: “Today we pay tribute above all to the person.” A person with a big heart and for whom it has always been important to think of others.
‘Michael Schumacher also thought of those who are not rich. He quietly helped them with extremely generous donations and his family continues this charitable effort.”
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, with seven world titles: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podium finishes to his name during his iconic racing career.
His son Mick is now a reserve driver for Mercedes, having been sacked from Haas F1 last summer.
Mick Schumacher (left), with his mother Corinna (right) and sister Gina-Maria (centre)
In 2019, the Schumacher family posted an update on his 50th birthday assuring his millions of fans that they are doing “everything humanly possible” to help him get back on his feet.
In 2020 it was claimed that he was scheduled to have stem cell surgery, only to have it canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In September last year, Professor Erich Riederer, a Zurich-based specialist in neurology, said in a documentary for French television channel TMC that he doubted the racing legend would make a full recovery.
He said: ‘I think he’s in a vegetative state, which means he’s awake but unresponsive. He’s breathing, his heart is beating, he can probably sit up and take small steps with help, but no more.