Did Michael Schumacher attend his daughter’s wedding in October?

After a distinguished career from 1991 to 2006, Schumacher retired but returned four years later. He struggled with newcomers, only managing one podium finish before retiring again in 2010.

On December 29, 2013, he suffered a serious injury while skiing at the resort of Meribel in the French Alps. Schumacher, who was accompanied by his son Mick, flew off the track and fell, hitting a rock. The impact was strong enough to cause severe traumatic brain injury, despite him wearing a helmet.

Schumacher was rushed to the nearby Moutiers Hospital and then transferred to the Grenoble University Hospital. He underwent emergency surgery after doctors discovered he had suffered a severe head injury.

The German Formula One driver was placed in an induced coma to reduce brain swelling and control neurological damage. After several months of coma, Schumacher underwent two more operations.

Six months later, doctors began to bring Schumacher out of his coma, and he was transferred to the University Hospital of Lausanne in Switzerland to continue treatment. He was discharged in September to continue his recovery at home in Gland, Switzerland, where he continued to receive intensive care.

The Schumacher family, led by his wife Corinne, strictly monitored his health. His condition remains confidential, with his family sharing limited information.

Reports say Schumacher has undergone numerous medical interventions, surgeries and intense physical therapy to improve his motor and cognitive functions. One of them quoted his cardiologist Philippe Menasche as suggesting that Schumacher had received advanced stem cell treatment to improve his overall condition.

According to German media reports, the former Formula 1 champion attended the wedding of his daughter Gina Maria in Mallorca. Gina-Maria married Ian Bethke at Corinne’s £27 million property in an ultra-private event held under strict security measures, including the confiscation of mobile phones to prevent images being leaked.

Media outlets such as Bild and The Mirror suggested Schumacher attended the wedding in October, making his first public appearance in 11 years of recovery.

While the racing world was elated by the news, FIA steward Johnny Herbert called the wedding appearance “fake news.” He said these reports are nothing more than speculation. “It will always be a closed store,” Herbert told FlashscoreUSA.com. “According to the latest rumors, he attended his daughter’s wedding. Unfortunately, as far as I understand, this was all A1 fake news and there was no truth in it.”

Neurosurgeon Jussi Posti supported Herbert’s view, saying that a wedding was extremely unlikely. “Everything points to him being unwell. Being bedridden sick, most people become so weak and stiff that after so many years they are no longer able to get out of bed.”

Elisabetta Gregoraci, the ex-wife of Flavio Briatore, the former Formula One team boss, has previously said Schumacher communicates non-verbally. “Michael doesn’t speak; he communicates only with his eyes,” Diario de Mallorca and La Vanguardia report.

His son Mick seemed to confirm this in a 2021 Netflix documentary about his father’s life. “I think my dad and I would understand each other differently now,” he said.

Gregoraci also stated that “only three people can visit it, and I know who they are.” They are reportedly Luca Badoer, Schumacher’s former teammate at Ferrari, Sabine Kehm, his manager and immediate non-family member, and Jean Todt, the former Ferrari boss who has been close to the German for more than 30 years.

Todt and Schumacher reportedly still watch Formula One races together, but Todt has admitted in the past that the Formula One legend “is no longer the Michael we knew” before the accident. “Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” Todt told L’Equipe in 2023.

Schumacher’s former Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa was also allowed to see him from time to time. It is reported that Mick Schumacher’s fiancee Leila Hasanovic was also allowed to see Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher’s family and close friends continue their efforts to rehabilitate the great Formula 1 driver, PlanetF1 reports. Efforts include sensory stimulation through activities such as listening to Formula 1 pit radio and driving a Mercedes-AMG car, with the goal of connecting him with familiar sounds and experiences from his career.

There are also rumors that Mick Schumacher may soon marry fellow Danish model Hasanovic, raising expectations of a possible public appearance by Michael Schumacher again at a family event. The Schumacher family hastened to deny this.