Michael Schumacher’s daughter Gina has shared a touching birthday message to her father on his 57th birthday, as the seven-time Formula 1 world champion continues to recover from a skiing accident 12 years ago
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
15:11, 04 Jan 2026
Gina Schumacher shared a post to celebrate her father’s birthday(Image: Gina Schumacher / Instagram)
Michael Schumacher’s daughter hailed the Ferrari Formula 1 legend as “the best forever” as his family marked his 57th birthday on Saturday.
Gina, 28, posted on Instagram sharing a touching childhood snap of herself and younger brother Mick beaming beside their parents and pet dogs.
Captioning the image, she penned: “The best forever. Happy birthday, Dad!” accompanied by a red love heart emoji. This comes as Schumacher remains on his path to recovery following a devastating skiing accident 12 years ago.
Though he survived the ordeal, the seven-time F1 world champion has remained away from public view ever since. Consequently, information about his present condition remains extremely limited beyond his close-knit family and friends circle.
The accident happened in the French Alps, where Schumacher went off-piste before his head collided with a rock. Even though he was wearing protective headgear, Schumacher required helicopter transport to hospital and was kept in an artificially induced coma for several months.
He was subsequently moved to his family home near Lake Geneva, where he presently resides with continuous medical supervision. Sources indicate that Schumacher has up to 15 individuals providing round-the-clock care, reports the Mirror.
It is also believed that he remains confined to bed and cannot speak. Meanwhile, Elisabetta Gregoraci – former partner of ex-F1 boss Flavio Briatore – maintains that Schumacher communicates through eye movements with those caring for him.
Gina Schumacher shared a post to celebrate her father’s birthday(Image: Gina Schumacher / Instagram)
She revealed: “Michael doesn’t speak, he communicates with his eyes. Only three people can visit him and I know who they are. They moved to Spain and his wife has set up a hospital in that house.”
This emerges as Gina prepares to debut a YouTube channel, where she might potentially provide glimpses into her father’s circumstances. The accomplished rider, who frequently displays her skills on Instagram, has maintained silence regarding her father’s wellbeing while preserving the family’s privacy.
This approach mirrors that of Schumacher’s spouse, Corinna, who stated in a 2021 documentary: “We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.”
Meanwhile, Schumacher’s representative, Sabine Kehm, has reinforced their position on confidentiality. She previously stated: “Michael’s health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard.”
The preview of Gina’s upcoming channel features her alongside her horses and companions, though it appears unlikely to include content regarding her father’s medical situation or broader circumstances. Now residing in Switzerland, Gina initially explored karting.
Nevertheless, speaking to German broadcaster NDR, she revealed that equestrian pursuits ultimately captured her interest due to her affinity for horses. Western riding has particularly proven successful for Gina.
In August 2017, she clinched a gold medal at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland. The subsequent year saw her bag another gold at the National Reining Horse Association’s novice Cavalli, and she also topped the World Championships for junior riders.
In 2024, Gina tied the knot with her long-term partner, Iain Bethke, and they announced the arrival of their first child together last year. It’s reported that Gina and Iain said their vows at the Schumacher family villa in Majorca, surrounded by an exclusive guest list.