Corinna Schumacher has shared a poignant final conversation with her husband, Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, revealing he almost chose not to go skiing on the day of his life-changing accident in December 2013.
The Fateful Day in Meribel
In the French Alpine resort of Meribel, on 29 December 2013, Michael Schumacher suffered catastrophic head injuries after hitting a rock while skiing off-piste. The seven-time world champion was placed in a medically induced coma and did not emerge until June 2014. Schumacher, who turned 57 on 3 January 2026, has not been seen in public since the incident over twelve years ago.
His wife, Corinna, has fiercely guarded his privacy, maintaining a tight inner circle and releasing minimal information about his condition. Those known to have visited him include his long-time manager Sabine Kehm and close F1 associates like Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, and former teammate Felipe Massa.
A Chilling Premonition
While Corinna typically refuses to discuss her husband's health, she made an exception in the 2021 Netflix documentary 'Schumacher'. She recounted their last-known exchange before the tragedy. "Shortly before it happened in Meribel, he said to me: 'The snow isn’t optimal. We could fly to Dubai and go skydiving there,'" she revealed.
Reflecting on the cruel twist of fate, Corinna expressed a profound sense of acceptance. "I have never blamed God for what happened. It was just really bad luck, all the bad luck anyone can have in life," she stated. She added, "Of course, I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him. The children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael."
A Son's Unspoken Bond
Their son, Mick Schumacher, who was 14 at the time of the accident, echoed his mother's sentiments in the documentary. Now 26 and a racing driver himself, Mick spoke of the profound loss of being unable to share his career with the father who inspired him.
"Since the accident, of course, these experiences, these moments that I believe many people have with their parents, are no longer present, or to a lesser extent," Mick said. "And in my view, that is a little unfair. I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now. Simply because we speak a similar language, the language of motorsport."
He poignantly concluded, "That we would have much more to talk about. That’s where my head is most of the time. Thinking that would be so cool... I would give up everything just for that."
Life in Seclusion and a Family Occasion
Michael Schumacher's unparalleled career saw him win seven F1 World Championships between 1994 and 2004 with Benetton and Ferrari. After a three-year comeback with Mercedes, he retired for good in 2012.
Reports emerged that Schumacher was present at his daughter Gina-Maria's wedding to Iain Bethke in September 2024. The ceremony was held at the family's villa in Majorca, where guests were reportedly asked to surrender their mobile phones to prevent any leaks about the F1 icon's condition.
In 2020, Elisabetta Gregoraci, ex-wife of former Benetton boss Flavio Briatore, offered a rare glimpse into Schumacher's current life, telling Spanish media: "Michael doesn't speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him... They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house."
The family's unwavering commitment to privacy continues, leaving the world to remember the champion as he was, while holding onto the fragile hope revealed in a final, alternative plan for a day that changed everything.
