The heartfelt message arrives more than 12 years after the seven-time world champion suffered a devastating skiing accident

Michael Schumacher’s daughter Gina-Maria paid an emotional tribute to the Formula One icon as he celebrated his 57th birthday on Saturday.

The 28-year-old posted a touching photograph from her childhood on Instagram, featuring herself and her younger brother, Mick, alongside their parents and the family dogs.

Accompanying the image, she wrote: “The best forever. Happy birthday, Dad!” with a red heart emoji.

Gina-Maria additionally shared the post to her Instagram Story, adding another red heart emoji.

The heartfelt message arrives more than 12 years after the seven-time world champion suffered a devastating skiing accident that led to his complete withdrawal from public life.

Her brother Mick, who followed his father into professional motorsport, has similarly shown on social media that their father remains constantly on his mind.

The accident occurred in December 2013 in the French Alps, where Schumacher veered off-piste and struck his head against a rock despite wearing a helmet.

He was airlifted to the hospital and placed into a medically induced coma lasting several months before being transferred to his family residence near Lake Geneva in September 2014.

Michael Schumacher’s daughter Gina-Maria paid an emotional tribute to the Formula One icon as he celebrated his 57th birthday on Saturday | INSTAGRAM

The racing legend now receives continuous medical supervision, with reports suggesting up to 15 people provide round-the-clock care.

His family has maintained an unwavering commitment to protecting his privacy throughout his recovery.

His wife Corinna explained 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.”

His manager, Sabine Kehm, has reinforced this position, stating: “Michael’s health is not a public issue, and so we will continue to make no comment in that regard.”

The heartfelt message arrives more than 12 years after the seven-time world champion suffered a devastating skiing accident | GETTY

The family’s determination to maintain secrecy has been tested by multiple attempts to leak information, culminating in a blackmail case that went to trial.

Three men, including Schumacher’s former bodyguard Markus Fritsche, faced prosecution after hard drives containing confidential photographs, videos and medical records were stolen from a computer.

Nightclub bouncer Yilmaz Tozturkan and his son Daniel Lins, an IT specialist, denied the blackmail charges, claiming they were merely proposing a business arrangement to the family.

In February, Tozturkan received a three-year prison sentence but remains free on £10,000 bail.

Gina-Maria tied the knot with her long-term partner | INSTAGRAM

Lins was handed a six-month suspended sentence, while Fritsche, who denied involvement, received a two-year suspended sentence.

Gina-Maria tied the knot with her long-term partner, Iain Bethke, in September 2024, with the ceremony taking place at the Schumacher family’s luxury Majorcan villa, purchased for £27million in 2017.

The couple welcomed their first child together last year with an announcement on social media: “Welcome to the world, Millie. Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives.”

Now primarily based in the United States, Gina-Maria competes and breeds horses at the family ranch in Gordonville, Texas.

She has enjoyed considerable success in western riding, claiming gold at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland in August 2017 and topping the World Championships for junior riders the following year.