Michael Schumacher’s family have fought to bury ‘secret’ photos of the Formula 1 legend leaked by a ‘friend’ three years after his tragic crash.
Pal allegedly smuggled footage of the veteran’s home on Lake Geneva in 2016 and put it up for sale for $77 million. Sun reports.
Watch all 2023 Formula 1 World Championship practice, qualifying and races live on Kaio. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
No photos or videos of Schumacher have been seen since his horrific skiing accident in 2013 – although a rare health update was released last week.
Champion suffered a “traumatic brain injury” in the accident and was placed in a medically induced coma. Wake up a year later.
The former Ferrari and Mercedes driver has since been recovering at his home in Switzerland with his family.
An anonymous photographer took the opportunity to sell a first look at the 53-year-old injured.
An unidentified individual believed to be close friends with Schumacher reportedly took a photo of the star lying in bed.
They then allegedly smuggled the portraits out of the family residence and attempted to auction them off in shops across the continent.
German Offenburg prosecutors later confirmed that an “unidentified person” made the “secret” video and offered them “large sums of money” – possibly close to $1.77 million.
They called the heinous act “an invasion of his personal sphere” and an invasion of privacy.
An investigation was opened at the time, which is believed to have been put on hold – although Schumacher’s distraught wife Corinna pleaded with the police to take action.
A European media house that was offered an exclusive first look at the icon declined to divulge his origins.
An anonymous news site also claimed to have never seen any of the photos of the legendary pilot.
Former Ferrari boss Jean Todt recently revealed a rare glimpse into Schumacher’s life.
The FIA president, who remained in Schumacher’s entourage after a terrible ordeal, recently told German television that he regularly visits the star’s home.
He said Schumacher still enjoys watching Formula 1 races a decade after retiring from extreme sports.
“I don’t miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it’s true, I watch the races with Michael,” he told RTL.
“But of course I think I miss what we used to do together.”
Schumacher’s son Mick has followed in his father’s legendary footsteps and continues his racing legacy.
Todt said that on Schumacher Jr.’s shoulders there was “a lot of unfair pressure”.
He previously said he “hopes the world” sees his dear friend again, explaining that Schumacher “has never changed”.
“I’m not leaving him alone. Him, Corinna, his family, we have a lot of experiences together,” he said.
“The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and lasts.
“Sometimes success and money change you. But Michael never changes. He’s so strong.”
Unlike Todt, one of Schumacher’s old friends believes he was kicked out of the icon’s home.
His former manager Willie Weber has accused the star’s family of lying about his health.
The 80-year-old said he remains “furious” that the breeding mare has not informed him of the F1 icon’s condition since the skiing accident nine years ago.
Michael’s wife, Corinna, supported her husband in his recovery for nearly a decade.
On Wednesday, she was stopped from crying during a standing ovation as she accepted the award on her behalf in Cologne.
The Schumacher family broke their silence on the family’s struggles in a moving interview for a new Netflix documentary in 2021.
“I never blamed God for what happened,” Corinna, 52, said.
“It was really bad luck – the only bad luck you can have in life.
“It’s always awful when you say, ‘Why is this happening to Michael or to us? But then why should this be happening to others?
She broke down when she told interviewers, “Of course I miss Michael every day. But I’m not the only one who misses him.”
These are the children, the family, his father and everyone around him.
“I mean, everyone misses Michael, but Michael is here. Different, but it’s here and I think that gives us strength.”
This article originally appeared Sun Reproduced with permission.